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Monitoring atmospheric pollution from space

Envisat, launched in February 2002 by ESA, is making good progress in monitoring atmospheric pollution.Global air pollution map produced by Envisat proves clear just how human activities impact air quality.

Localised measurements of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide are carried out in many western industrial countries, but ground-based data sources are generally thin on the ground. Space-based sensors are the only way to carry out effective global monitoring. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a mainly man-made gas, excess exposure to which causes lung damage and respiratory problems. It also plays an important role in atmospheric chemistry, because it leads to the production of ozone in the troposphere.

Nitrogen dioxide is produced by emissions from power plants, heavy industry and road transport, along with biomass burning. Lightning in the air also creates nitrogen oxides naturally, as does microbial activity in the soil.

Measurements from Envisat show very high Nitrogen dioxide concentration above north eastern China, across South East Asia and much of Africa. Ship tracks are visible in some locations: such as the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The smoke stacks of ships crossing these routes send a large amount of NO2 into the troposphere.

Envisat is the world’s largest satellite for environmental monitoring.

posted by: kyawoo at 11:02 | link | comments |
unmanned missions, earth

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