Satellite-Derived PM2.5
Data on the distribution of fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) in outdoor air are needed to support air quality assessment, research, and management. Rigorously validated open-access satellite-derived PM₂.₅ datasets offer:
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Global coverage of fine particulate matter concentrations
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Multi-year records for trend analysis (1998-present)
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Multiple product versions tailored to regional and compositional studies
SatPM global and regional PM₂.₅ concentrations combine the observational constraint of satellite retrievals, the coverage and insight of process-based simulations and data-driven algorithms, and the accuracy of ground-based measurements.
Aerosol observed throughout the atmospheric column from multiple satellite-based instruments (MODIS/Terra, MODIS/Aqua, MISR/Terra, SeaWiFS/SeaStar, VIIRS/SNPP, and VIIRS/NOAA20) and their respective retrievals (Dark Target, Deep Blue, MAIAC) are related to near surface PM₂.₅ concentrations using the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model , where GEOS-Chem provides the spatially and temporally varying relationship between aerosol optical depth and PM₂.₅. Targeted observations (e.g., SPARTAN) are used for process-level evaluation of algorithms. A collection of ground-based observations from around the world (e.g., WHO Ambient Air quality database, OpenAQ, national regulatory networks, SPARTAN) are then used to refine these initial estimates using advanced statistical fusion and deep-learning techniques.
