The Spatio-Temporal Variability of Aerosols and Particulate Matter in the Urban Environment

To understand the impact of fine particulate matter (PM) on human health, especially in the urban environment, it is important to observe how PM varies on different spatial and temporal scales. Because satellite observations of aerosols – and retrievals of total column aerosol optical depth (AOD), in particular – are often used as a proxy for PM, it is likewise critical to observe the spatio-temporal variability of AOD. We will describe measurements of PM made from different ground-based sensors along with coincident measurements of AOD from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). Similarities and differences in the spatio-temporal statistics will be discussed. These results will be compared with AOD retrievals from satellite-based sensors, including the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra satellite. The lessons learned are vital for the next generation of satellite sensors that will attempt to monitor air quality from space, such as the Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols (MAIA), scheduled for launch in 2022.