Exploring the relationship between high-resolution aerosol optical depth values and ground-level particulate matter concentrations in the Metropolitan Area of SAo Paulo

Author(s)

Damascena, Aline Santos ^[1] ; Yamasoe, Marcia Akemi ^[2] ; Martins, Vitor Souza ^[3] ; Rosas, Jorge ^[2] ; Benavente, Noelia Rojas ^[2] ; Sanchez, Maciel Pinero ^[2] ; Tanaka, Nelson Ithiro ^[4] ; Nascimento Saldiva, Paulo Hilario ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Patol, Ave Doutor Arnaldo 455, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Astron Geofis & Ciencias Atmosfer, Dept Ciencias Atmosfer, Rua Matao 1226, Cidade Univ, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Iowa State Univ, Agr & Biosyst Engn, 1340 Elings Hall, 605 Bissell Rd, Ames, IA 50010 - USA

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Matemat & Estat, Dept Estat, Rua Matao 1010, Cidade Univ, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Atmospheric Environment; v. 244, JAN 1 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

The spatiotemporal pattern of particulate matter (PM) concentrations is an important factor in predicting health issues in inhabitants of urban areas. The integration of satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) data with ground-level PM concentration data, obtained from monitoring networks, has contributed to better character-ization of the spatiotemporal variability of aerosols worldwide. However, before using satellite AOD data as a proxy for PM in epidemiological and air quality studies in specific regions, the applicability of that strategy must be evaluated. In this study, we evaluate the use of the high-resolution AOD, derived from Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm, as a predictor of surface PM concentrations in the Metropolitan Area of Sao Paulo (MASP). We found relatively weak or negative correlations between PM concentrations and MAIAC AOD, even after vertical correction by planetary boundary layer height and the hygroscopic growth factor. The weak correlations reported in this study are mainly due to the mismatch between the current MAIAC aerosol model and the properties of local aerosols in the MASP. Our results suggest that sources of aerosol particles in the MASP are quite diverse and that there is therefore no single optical model suitable for use with satellite-derived AOD. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/09411-1 - Spatio-temporal model for predicting the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in metropolitan area of São Paulo
• Grantee: Aline Santos Damascena
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate