Abstract
Dust pollution is severe in some mining areas in China due to rapid industrial development. Dust deposited on the vegetation canopy may change its spectra. However, a relationship between canopy spectra and dust amount has not been quantitatively studied, and a pixel-scale condition for remote sensing application has not been considered yet. In this study, the dust dispersion characteristics in an iron mining area were investigated using the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory model (AERMOD). Further, based on the three-dimensional discrete anisotropic radiative transfer (DART) model, the spectral characteristics of vegetation canopy under the dusty condition were simulated, and the influence of dustfall on vegetation canopy spectra was studied. Finally, the dust effect on vegetation spectra at the canopy scale was extended to a pixel scale, and the response of dust effect on vegetation spectra at the pixel scale was determined under different fractional vegetation covers (FVCs). The experimental results show that the dust pollution along a haul road was more severe and extensive than that in a stope. Taking dust dispersion along the road as an example, the variation of vegetation canopy spectra increased with the height of dust deposited on the vegetation canopy. At the pixel scale, a lower vegetation FVC would weaken the influence of dust on the spectra. The results derived from simulation spectral data were tested using satellite remote sensing images. The tested result indicates that the influence of dust retention on the pixel spectra with different FVCs was consistent with that created with the simulated data. The finding could be beneficial for those making decisions on monitoring vegetation under dusty conditions and reducing dust pollution in mining areas using remote sensing technology.
Highlights
Dust is a dominant feature of the global aerosol system [1]
Several models have been developed for air dispersion simulation, such as the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory model (AERMOD) [12], industrial source complex-short term (ISCST) [13], California puff model (CALPUFF) [14], etc
To achieve the two research objectives, AERMOD would be used to study the characteristics of dust dispersion and the discrete anisotropic radiative transfer (DART) model to study the dust effect on vegetation spectra
Summary
Dust is a dominant feature of the global aerosol system [1]. Dust can affect air quality, climate, biosphere and atmospheric chemistry [2]. Several models have been developed for air dispersion simulation, such as the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory model (AERMOD) [12], industrial source complex-short term (ISCST) [13], California puff model (CALPUFF) [14], etc These models are suitable for different spatial scales, processes and particle sources [15]. In this study, we propose to study the dust effect on vegetation spectra at both canopy and pixel scales in a mining area through spectral modeling and remote sensing technology. More specific research objectives are to (1) quantify the dust dispersion in a mining area, and (2) assess the dust effect on vegetation spectra at canopy and pixel scales. To achieve the two research objectives, AERMOD would be used to study the characteristics of dust dispersion and the DART model to study the dust effect on vegetation spectra
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
