Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

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Exploring the Possibility of Using MODIS AOD Data for PM2.5 Monitoring

Faculty #37
Discipline: Ecology Environmental and Earth Sciences
Subcategory: STEM Research

Zhiming Yang - North Carolina Central University

Traditional station-based PM2.5 monitoring is costly and has limited spatial coverage. Satellite-based remote sensing could serve as an alternative because of large spatial coverage and reliable repeated measurements. While some studies have shown the high potential of utilizing MODIS Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) data in PM2.5 monitoring at regional scale, poor MODIS AOD-ground PM2.5 relationships were still reported in some parts of United States.

The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation between MODIS AOD (3km) and ground-level PM2.5 in the state of North Carolina in order to develop a cost-effective method to measure PM2.5 using satellite-based remote sensing. In this study, hourly PM2.5 data for all Airnow stations in NC and MODIS AOD data were acquired from Airnow network and USGS web site respectively for the year 2011 and 2012. Their spatial correlations were examined at different levels: daily, monthly and seasonally. Our preliminary analysis suggested that there is no consistent statistically significant relationship between MODIS AOD value and ground mass concentration of PM2.5 in NC for 2011 and 2012. The poor correlation presents a significant challenge for air quality monitoring using remote sensing techniques in the state of North Carolina.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): HBCU-UP program

Faculty Advisor: None Listed,

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.