Determination of atmospheric pollution of megapolis by space data

Abstract

At present, air pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems. To monitor the air condition, sampling methods are used at stationary and automatic stations, lidar ground measurements and satellite monitoring. In Belarus, the atmosphere is monitored at 66 stationary stations of the National Environmental Monitoring System of the Republic of Belarus. The main disadvantage of the sampling method at stations is its localization and inoperability. The method implemented in the work overcomes these shortcomings. Estimates of the atmospheric pollution of megacities in units of maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) are carried out using the space reflection spectrum and the image in red region of the visible spectrum. Using data from the EO-1, Landsat, Sentinel-2 satellites, as well as calculations, the integral pollution levels (in MPC) over the city of Minsk were obtained in 2015 and 2016. Estimated pollution values averaged over the quarter were compared with data from the annual of the status of atmospheric air of the National Environmental Monitoring System of the Republic of Belarus. The method showed good agreement between the data. However, the conditions of application and the accuracy of this method require further research and evaluation, the advantages and disadvantages of the method are analyzed in the work, and ways to overcome the identified shortcomings are outlined.