Satellite Remote Sensing for Air Quality Analysis in the Himalayan Region
Background
Mountain regions including the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (HKH) possess enormous challenges for systematic collection of scientific data and information. The inaccessible remote locations, difficult terrain and harsh climatic conditions often hamper routine data collection. However, the last decade has witnessed unprecedented growth and development in Earth Observation (EO) providing time series data at various spatial scales for environment monitoring. One of such application is being used for air pollution mapping and monitoring. EO has been a valuable tool for assessing and mapping aerosols due to its major benefit of providing complete and synoptic views of large areas in single snap-shots. The first module of the training course will help the participants familiarize with Transboundary air pollution programme at ICIMOD and to gain knowledge and skills on the use of NASA satellite data and techniques for air quality analysis. The course will provide overview of different components of regional transboudary air pollution monitoring programme at ICIMOD namely, Atmospheric Brown Cloud (ABC) and Male’ Declaration as a means of strengthening capacity of networking in the region and facilitate impact assessment. The module will provide introductory and hands-on on GIS and demonstration of monitoring stations. The second module of the course will begin with an overview of satellite terminology and technology. Relevant satellite products for air quality analysis will be presented, including MODIS true color imagery, MODIS aerosol optical depth (AOD), OMI NO2, and CALIPSO. In addition, numerical air quality models will be discussed, including the Naval Research Laboratory’s Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) global aerosol model, which provides global forecasts of surface particulate matter concentrations. Numerical air quality model output is a useful supplement to air quality information provided by satellites. The interpretation of air quality satellite images and where to download relevant images from the internet will be stressed. The difference between “near real-time” and retrospective satellite data will be explained. Participants will also learn how to use the NASA Giovanni online tool, which is a quick and easy way to visualize and download air quality satellite information.
Satellite Remote Sensing for Air Quality Analysis in the Himalayan Region will be a 5-day training event organized by ICIMOD, UNEP and NASA. The training course will include lectures and interactive activities designed to give participants “hands-on” experience with the various air quality satellite images and tools.
Objective
The objective of the training course is to strengthen capacity and networking in the region by familiarizing the Transboundary Air Pollution Programme at ICIMOD and imparting relevant knowledge and skills on the use of satellite images for air quality analysis in the Himalayan region. More specifically, the training course aims to provide:
- Overview of ABC and Male’ programme
- Introduction to GIS with hands-on session
- Visit to monitoring stations and sites
- Satellite remote sensing for air quality assessment
- Remote sensing tools (NASA Giovanni tool)
- Demonstration of relevant Case studies
- Satellite image resources
Audience
This training is targeted to the professionals and decision makers from relevant national institutions working in the field of air pollution but does not have sufficient background on the satellite image interpretation.
Expected Outcome
The participants will get familiarity with the transboundary air pollution programme at ICIMOD and acquire knowledge on concepts to analyze air pollution events through satellite image interpretation. They will be also familiarized with numerical air quality models.
Venue
The workshop will take place at ICIMOD Training Hall from 15 to 19 of February 2010.