Retrieval for PM2.5 distribution from space

Concentration of particulate matter (PM_2.5) is a good indicator of air pollution by anthropogenic aerosols in particular near surface. However instrumentation of PM_2.5 is still on going in East Asia even in Japan. This work intends to develop an algorithm for estimating PM_2.5 distribution based on the satellite measurements. Combined use of satellite derived columnar aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and vertical distribution of aerosol extinction by ground-based LIDAR measurements is available for estimation of near surface AOT. Thus the derived correlation between AOT and PM_2.5 is utilized to retrieve satellite based PM_2.5.