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This article explores the importance of space-borne measurements in monitoring and understanding air pollution. Pollution is a global problem that impacts health, the economy, and the environment. The article discusses SCIAMACHY's role in measuring nitrogen oxides and dioxide, ship emissions, global pollution changes, pollution reduction strategies, weekly cycles, pollution from fires, and identifying pollution sources. SCIAMACHY data provides valuable insights into the evolution of pollution levels over time.
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SCIAMACHYMeasures Air Pollution Andreas Richter
Space borne measurements of pollution are needed Pollution is a global problem Pollution affects health and economy Pollution transport is an international issue (HTAP) Pollution problems are expected to increase as population grows and economies in the developing world expand Global data on pollution are relevant for science, decision makers, and every day life Pollution and its effects are current research science topics
Nitrogen Oxides in the Atmosphere Emitted from • fossil fuel burning • fires • bacteria in soils • lightning Relevant because of • impact on health • ozone smog formation • acid rain • legislation
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2): The Global View anthropogenicpollution biomass burning transport
Observation of Ship Emissions International shipping is increasing Emissions from ships are less regulated than from other sources NOx emissions could exceed present-day global road transport emissions in 2050 • Satellite observations highlight impact on pristine regions
Observation of Global Change Nitrogen dioxide observed has changed over last decade Downward trend over Europe, upward over China “Spy in the sky” like observation of global pollution changes Annual Changes in tropospheric NO2 1996 - 2002
Verification of Pollution Reduction SCIAMACHY data and model predictions of nitrogen dioxide disagreed over the US after 2004 Reason: US power plants now have to use denoxification strategies in summer SCIAMACHY model WRF-chem
Verification of Pollution Reduction SCIAMACHY data and model predictions of nitrogen dioxide disagreed over the US after 2004 Reason: US power plants now have to use denoxification strategies in summer SCIAMACHY measurements are used to update emission estimates updated model WRF-chem SCIAMACHY base emissions WRF-chem
Observation of Weekly Cycle Human emissions are reduced on the weekend Different cultures / religions have weekend on Sunday or Friday Lower nitrogen dioxide can be observed from space during day off Fri / (Sun-Thu) Sun / (Mon-Fri)
Observation of Pollution from Fires With the fire season, a huge plume of pollution is moving south and back each year Pollution
Identifying Sources using different Species Each source produces specific mix of pollutants By measuring several components, sources can be identified e.g. fires, coal power plants, vehicles, plants, shipping
Summary SCIAMACHY provides high resolution space-borneobservations of pollution near the ground Measurements from SCIAMACHY have been used to identify pollution sources and to detect and quantify their emissions, e.g. from ships, fires, or power plants In combination with measurements from other instruments, SCIAMACHY data have been used to study the change of pollution over time, providing valuable indication on how pollution levels are evolving in response to economic development and environmental legislation