Pollution in the atmosphere

Earth observation satellites are generally not able to detect local sources of atmospheric pollution from individual fires, smoke plumes from factories, or automobile exhaust. However, some sensors are capable of monitoring on a regional and global scale the accumulation of dust particles in the upper atmosphere. Furthermore, frequent observations help to monitor the long-range transport routes of pollutants.

Scientists use data from NASA’s Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) to measure the relative amount of aerosols suspended in the atmosphere. Aerosol examples include desert dust, smoke and volcanic ash located at least 2 km (1.2 miles) above the surface.

Every day, TOMS measures how much UV radiation is absorbed within the atmosphere and how much is reflected back up into space. These measures directly relate to how much aerosol is concentrated within a particular column of atmosphere. Over time, these daily aerosol data are combined into a series of composite images of the globe and individual regions, such as Asia.

Source: NASA, ACE-Asia

For more information see:
http://toms.gsfc.nasa.gov/
http://code916.gsfc.nasa.gov/Missions/ACEASIA/
http://eobglossary.gsfc.nasa.gov/Observatory/datasets.html

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