Comprehensive Evaluation of Spatial Distribution and Temporal Trend of NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub> and AOD Using Satellite Observations over South and East Asia from 2011 to 2021
The past decade has witnessed remarkable economic development, marked by rapid industrialization and urbanization across Asian regions. This surge in economic activity has led to significant emissions, resulting in alarming levels of air pollution. Our study comprehensively assessed the spatial and...
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/20/5069 |
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| author | Md Masudur Rahman Shuo Wang Weixiong Zhao Arfan Arshad Weijun Zhang Cenlin He |
| author_facet | Md Masudur Rahman Shuo Wang Weixiong Zhao Arfan Arshad Weijun Zhang Cenlin He |
| author_sort | Md Masudur Rahman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The past decade has witnessed remarkable economic development, marked by rapid industrialization and urbanization across Asian regions. This surge in economic activity has led to significant emissions, resulting in alarming levels of air pollution. Our study comprehensively assessed the spatial and temporal trends of key pollutants, namely nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>), sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>), and aerosol (using aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm as an indicator), from 2011 to 2021. The data sources utilized include OMI onboard the Aura satellite for NO<sub>2</sub> and SO<sub>2</sub>, as well as MODIS onboard Terra and Aqua satellites for AOD. The results from spatial and temporal trend analyses of the three parameters show that there is a clear declining trend over China and Republic of Korea (e.g., NO<sub>2</sub> is declining with an overall rate of −7.8 × 10<sup>12</sup> molecules/cm<sup>2</sup>/year over China) due to the strict implementation of air pollution control policies. However, it is essential to note that both countries still grapple with substantial pollution levels, with proportions exceeding 0.5, indicating that air quality is improving but has not yet reached a safe threshold. In contrast, South Asian regions, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India, are experiencing an increasing trend (e.g., NO<sub>2</sub> is increasing with an overall rate of 1.2 × 10<sup>12</sup> molecules/cm<sup>2</sup>/year in Bangladesh), primarily due to the lack of rigorous air pollution control policies. The average emissions of NO<sub>2</sub> and SO<sub>2</sub> were remarkably higher in winter than in summer. Notably, the identified hotspots are statistically significant and predominantly coincide with densely populated areas, such as the North China Plain (NCP). Furthermore, this study underscores the pivotal role of sector-wise emissions in air quality monitoring and improvement. Different cities are primarily influenced by emissions from specific sectors, emphasizing the need for targeted pollution control measures. The findings presented in this research contribute valuable insights to the air quality monitoring and improvement efforts in East and South Asian regions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:55:49Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:55:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
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| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj.art-8fdf4d3cee4e4752b53d624e85ec7a732023-11-19T18:00:27ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922023-10-011520506910.3390/rs15205069Comprehensive Evaluation of Spatial Distribution and Temporal Trend of NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub> and AOD Using Satellite Observations over South and East Asia from 2011 to 2021Md Masudur Rahman0Shuo Wang1Weixiong Zhao2Arfan Arshad3Weijun Zhang4Cenlin He5Laboratory of Atmospheric Physico-Chemistry, Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, ChinaLaboratory of Atmospheric Physico-Chemistry, Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, ChinaLaboratory of Atmospheric Physico-Chemistry, Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, ChinaDepartment of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74075, USALaboratory of Atmospheric Physico-Chemistry, Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, ChinaResearch Application Laboratory, National Center of Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Boulder, CO 80307, USAThe past decade has witnessed remarkable economic development, marked by rapid industrialization and urbanization across Asian regions. This surge in economic activity has led to significant emissions, resulting in alarming levels of air pollution. Our study comprehensively assessed the spatial and temporal trends of key pollutants, namely nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>), sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>), and aerosol (using aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm as an indicator), from 2011 to 2021. The data sources utilized include OMI onboard the Aura satellite for NO<sub>2</sub> and SO<sub>2</sub>, as well as MODIS onboard Terra and Aqua satellites for AOD. The results from spatial and temporal trend analyses of the three parameters show that there is a clear declining trend over China and Republic of Korea (e.g., NO<sub>2</sub> is declining with an overall rate of −7.8 × 10<sup>12</sup> molecules/cm<sup>2</sup>/year over China) due to the strict implementation of air pollution control policies. However, it is essential to note that both countries still grapple with substantial pollution levels, with proportions exceeding 0.5, indicating that air quality is improving but has not yet reached a safe threshold. In contrast, South Asian regions, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India, are experiencing an increasing trend (e.g., NO<sub>2</sub> is increasing with an overall rate of 1.2 × 10<sup>12</sup> molecules/cm<sup>2</sup>/year in Bangladesh), primarily due to the lack of rigorous air pollution control policies. The average emissions of NO<sub>2</sub> and SO<sub>2</sub> were remarkably higher in winter than in summer. Notably, the identified hotspots are statistically significant and predominantly coincide with densely populated areas, such as the North China Plain (NCP). Furthermore, this study underscores the pivotal role of sector-wise emissions in air quality monitoring and improvement. Different cities are primarily influenced by emissions from specific sectors, emphasizing the need for targeted pollution control measures. The findings presented in this research contribute valuable insights to the air quality monitoring and improvement efforts in East and South Asian regions.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/20/5069nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>)sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>)aerosol optical depth (AOD)South and East Asiasatellite data |
| spellingShingle | Md Masudur Rahman Shuo Wang Weixiong Zhao Arfan Arshad Weijun Zhang Cenlin He Comprehensive Evaluation of Spatial Distribution and Temporal Trend of NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub> and AOD Using Satellite Observations over South and East Asia from 2011 to 2021 Remote Sensing nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) aerosol optical depth (AOD) South and East Asia satellite data |
| title | Comprehensive Evaluation of Spatial Distribution and Temporal Trend of NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub> and AOD Using Satellite Observations over South and East Asia from 2011 to 2021 |
| title_full | Comprehensive Evaluation of Spatial Distribution and Temporal Trend of NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub> and AOD Using Satellite Observations over South and East Asia from 2011 to 2021 |
| title_fullStr | Comprehensive Evaluation of Spatial Distribution and Temporal Trend of NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub> and AOD Using Satellite Observations over South and East Asia from 2011 to 2021 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comprehensive Evaluation of Spatial Distribution and Temporal Trend of NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub> and AOD Using Satellite Observations over South and East Asia from 2011 to 2021 |
| title_short | Comprehensive Evaluation of Spatial Distribution and Temporal Trend of NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub> and AOD Using Satellite Observations over South and East Asia from 2011 to 2021 |
| title_sort | comprehensive evaluation of spatial distribution and temporal trend of no sub 2 sub so sub 2 sub and aod using satellite observations over south and east asia from 2011 to 2021 |
| topic | nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) aerosol optical depth (AOD) South and East Asia satellite data |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/20/5069 |
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