nasa-gesdisc/es-publications-researchareas huggingface dataset:
Perspective on Particulate Matter: From Biomass Burning to the Health Crisis in Mainland Southeast Asia (2023)

Air pollution, notably particulate matter pollution, has become a serious concern in Southeast Asia in recent decades. The combustion of biomass has been recognized to considerably increase air pollution problems from particulate matter in this region. Consequently, its effect on people in this area is significant. This article presents a synthesis of several datasets obtained from satellites, global emissions, global reanalysis, and the global burden of disease (GBD) to highlight the air quality issue and emphasize the health crisis in mainland Southeast Asia. We found that the death rates of people have increased significantly along with the rise of hotspots in mainland Southeast Asia over the last two decades (20002019). In comparison, most countries saw a considerable increase in the predicted fatality rates associated with chronic respiratory illnesses during those two decades. Several reports highlight the continued prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases likely related to poor air quality in Southeast Asia.

Research areas: Environmental Impacts, Public Health, Air Quality
Elemental ratios as tracers of the sources of mineral dust in north-eastern Sahara (2023)

Abstract
            
              The objective of this study is to confirm the possibility of tracing sources of airborne mineral dust using elemental ratios. The region of study is the north-eastern part of the Sahara where dust compositional data were lacking; 272 mineral dust samples collected at 3 experimental stations of Egypt were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence. Based on the mineral dust concentration, 65% of the samples correspond to moderate (310 g m
              3
              ), 22% to medium (1025 g m
              3
              ), and 13% to intense (> 25 g m
              3
              ) dust events. The Ca/Al and (Mg + Ca)/Fe ratios were found to be strongly correlated and their ranges of variation to cover are more than one order of magnitude, which confirms their interest for the tracing of the dust sources. Using a combination of MODIS satellite observations, HYSPLIT back-trajectory analysis, and simulations with dust emission models, the large (> 6) and intermediate (26) Ca/Al ratios were shown to correspond to dust originating from saline playas (chotts) and calcareous surfaces, respectively. Conversely, the lowest (

Research areas: Air Quality
Detection of spatial and temporal precipitation patterns using remotely sensed data in the Paranapanema River Basin, Brazil from 2000 to 2021 (2023)

Abstract
            Precipitation is the major input of the hydrological cycle in tropical regions. Changes in the spatial and temporal patterns of precipitation should be investigated in order to provide in-time information for both water and land use planning. Climate and land use changes have been influencing modification in the water cycle, demanding adaptations and increasing the vulnerability of water-dependent systems. This study investigated spatial and temporal changes in precipitation patterns in the Paranapanema River Basin (PPRB), Brazil. The PPRB region is an important agricultural and hydroelectric power generation hub and has been suffering from water crises in recent years, and more intensely in the last 510 years. The analysis used remote sensing precipitations data from September 2000 to August 2021 (summing up twenty-one hydrological years) at 0.1 resolution. Exploratory Spatial and Temporal Data Analysis (ESTDA) were applied to verify spatial local autocorrelation and hot/cold spots clusters, and temporal trends, homogeneity, and change points in the time series at Hydrological Planning Unit (HPU) scale level. The significant results were discussed based on statistical tests and land use cover change data. There is a strong presence of precipitation spatial patterns in the PPRB. Also, the PPRB presented modifications in the precipitation regime over the analyzed period, with significant change points around 20152017. Further monitoring is recommended in order to confirm these results in the long term, however, the provided information can already be used as an award to local and regional water bodies installed in the river basin, supporting informative water management.

Research areas: Atmospheric/Ocean Indicators
Role of Biomass Burning in Greenhouse Gases Emission (2022)

To meet electricity production and transportation, cooking, agricultural-field clearance for crop-rotation, we are consuming fossil fuels through combustion and burning the biomass. When these fuels are burnt, depending on fuel-type, combustion efficiency, and moisture content in the fuel, it releases a lot of aerosols (aka particulate matter), CO2, CH4, SO2, and other gaseous species. With the rise in the global population, the cumulative effect of anthropogenic activities is raising the level of pollutants in the atmosphere and also in the other components of the environment in general. Natural green barriers (forests) intake CO2 and a major source of O2 also do play a crucial role in adsorbing particulate matter, thereby reducing ambient PM levels. Deforestation, owing to unprecedented urbanization, is the other major factor of increasing greenhouse gas levels. Furthermore, industrial emissions from fertilizers, cement production, coal mining activities, and oil extraction generate a huge amount of greenhouse gases and toxic products. Also, landfills occupied with garbage is a potential source of greenhouse gases, viz. CO2 and CH4. Ambient records on rising levels of greenhouse gases and particulate matter in the last couple of decades is an alarming situation and urge for initiatives towards effective interventions to mitigate the air pollution for better planetary health and its sustainability. In this chapter, we have discussed greenhouse gases emissions from biomass burning (BB) focusing mainly on long-term global records in a concise manner. Some of the initiatives to tackle air pollution and recommendations are also provided for future interventions and mitigation policy makers.

Research areas: Greenhouse Gases, Habitat Conversion/Fragmentation, Environmental Impacts
Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide patterns associated with changes in energy use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya (2022)


Environmental degradation, including air quality deterioration, has been mainly attributed to anthropogenic activities. Air pollution has become a pressing issue in industrialised and highly populated areas due to the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial operations. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a nationwide lockdown to control the spread of the coronavirus. This imposed restrictions on many economic activities, thus providing the environment with an opportunity to heal. The COVID-19 response measures adopted by most countries, including lockdown, restricted movement, and other containment measures, led to a significant decrease in energy use in the transport sector. Due to low electricity access levels in developing countries, traditional energy sources make up the bulk of energy used for most domestic energy services. Biomass combustion emits carbon monoxide (CO), while the transport sector is a major contributor of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). This study was purposed to investigate the short-term effects of COVID-19 on CO and NO2 concentration levels in Nairobi, Vihiga and Tana River counties. The study utilised data on CO surface concentration, NO2 column concentration and reported COVID-19 cases. Time series, correlation analysis and spatial and temporal map analysis were carried out to investigate the changes and relationships among the study parameters. The three counties were selected based on the urbanisation and population. Nairobi county represented an urban setting, while the Vihiga and Tana River counties represented rural areas with high and low population densities, respectively. The CO surface concentrations in Nairobi and Vihiga county significantly correlated with the COVID-19 cases, with both counties portraying negative correlations, i.e., 0.59 (P-value: 0.008) and 0.45 (P-value: 0.05), respectively. NO2 column concentration also exhibited a significant negative relationship with reported COVID-19 cases in the Vihiga (0.018, P-value = 0.05) and Tana River (0.17, P-value = 0.00) counties. These findings highlight the need for demographic and economic considerations in CO and NO2 assessments, and allude to a decreased health risk due to CO and NO2 emissions during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Research areas: Air Quality, Energy Production/Use
Long-Term Analysis of Water Quality in Chilika Lagoon and Application of Bio-optical Models for Cyclone Impact Assessment (2020)

A comprehensive analysis of sediment and phytoplankton dynamics in Chilika lagoon by synthesizing various remote sensing datasets is presented in this study. The goal of the study was to monitor and analyze the spatio-temporal variability of total suspended sediment (TSS) and chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration and associated environmental forcings in the coastal lagoon. NASAs Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) surface reflectance cloud free data was used to develop a TSS and chl-a model. Finally, a case study showing implication of satellite based TSS and Chl-a models to assess the impacts of natural hazards such as cyclones on water quality of Chilika Lagoon is presented. This case study is based on comparing the effect of two anniversary very severe cyclonic storms (VSCSs): category-5 Phailin (12 October, 2013) and category-4 Hudhud (12 October, 2014) that impacted the lagoon. Analysis for 14 years (20012014) using MODIS 8-day composites (MOD09Q1) data indicated that the seasonal variability of TSS is dominant in all the three sectors of the lagoon compared to inter-annual variability. The main reason for large variations in the northern sector is the shallow depth and intrusion of large sediment discharge from Mahanadi River from the northern side, which is the largest fresh water distributary for Chilika Lagoon. Anniversary cyclone impact analysis revealed that Phailins impact on Chilika Lagoon and its watershed resulted in unprecedented levels of precipitation and runoff before-during-after the landfall, which shattered the typical sectorial turbidity gradient. Exponential increase in turbidity because of a combination of run-off and wind driven re-suspension of fine sediments resulted in strong attenuation of light in water column post-Phailin. Limited light condition coupled with enhanced flushing rate due to flooded river and increased freshwater discharge reduced the Chl-a concentration after the passage of Phailin. In contrast, relatively farther landfall location, trajectory away from the lagoon, relatively lower wind intensity and short duration of stay of VSCS Hudhud, led to lesser precipitation and surface runoff compared to Phailin. Consequently, lagoon did not experience a drastic increase in turbidity and light attenuation. Sufficient light availability, stable wind, reduced flushing all favored the phytoplankton growth after passage of Hudhud and thus, Chl-a concentration increased almost threefold in all the sectors of the lagoon. The approach used in this study can be applied to other cyclone-prone coastal areas. Coupling of satellite based observation with modelling output from systems such as Giovanni can improve monitoring program implemented in numerous coastal estuaries and lagoons.

Research areas: Water Quality, Severe Storms, Ecosystems
Indonesian fire activity and smoke pollution in 2015 show persistent nonlinear sensitivity to El Nino-induced drought (2016)

The 2015 fire season and related smoke pollution in Indonesia was more severe than the major 2006 episode, making it the most severe season observed by the NASA Earth Observing System satellites that go back to the early 2000s, namely active fire detections from the Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers (MODIS), MODIS aerosol optical depth, Terra Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) carbon monoxide (CO), Aqua Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) CO, Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aerosol index, and Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) CO. The MLS CO in the upper troposphere showed a plume of pollution stretching from East Africa to the western Pacific Ocean that persisted for 2 mo. Longer-term records of airport visibility in Sumatra and Kalimantan show that 2015 ranked after 1997 and alongside 1991 and 1994 as among the worst episodes on record. Analysis of yearly dry season rainfall from the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) and rain gauges shows that, due to the continued use of fire to clear and prepare land on degraded peat, the Indonesian fire environment continues to have nonlinear sensitivity to dry conditions during prolonged periods with less than 4 mm/d of precipitation, and this sensitivity appears to have increased over Kalimantan. Without significant reforms in land use and the adoption of early warning triggers tied to precipitation forecasts, these intense fire episodes will reoccur during future droughts, usually associated with El Nino events.

Research areas: Wildfires, Atmospheric/Ocean Indicators, Air Quality, Droughts
Lake Turkana, major Omo River developments, associated hydrological cycle change and consequent lake physical and ecological change (2018)

This study aimed to explore Lake Turkana's ecological reliance on hydrology and to determine the hydrological changes and consequences arising from the major hydropower and irrigation developments in the lake's basin. The major developments on Ethiopia's Omo River are especially significant as this river provides over 80% of the lake's annual freshwater influx and associated nutrients. The cascade of hydropower dams permanently dampens the natural hydrological cycles and lake level variability. The driving force of the flood influx to the lake is curtailed and the pattern of lake currents will adjust. Ultimately 80% of the river inflow to the lake will be regulated. Large volumes of water are required to initially fill the hydropower dam reservoirs. During 201516 when the huge Gibe III reservoir was filled, Lake Turkana's water level declined 2 m. The study has shown that large-scale irrigation schemes in the Lower Omo can potentially abstract 50% of the Omo River water, and that this would cause the lake level to shrink permanently to the detriment of the lake ecology. Possible lake level drops of over 15 m are demonstrated. The basin's natural capital is being replaced by large-scale plantation developments. The hydrological changes are drastic and the ecological consequences on Lake Turkana have not been fully understood. Without serious mitigation measures, Lake Turkana is a potential African Aral Sea disaster in the making, emulating what has happened to other great lakes such as Lake Chad.

Research areas: Energy Production/Use, Habitat Conversion/Fragmentation
Regional Climate Change Impact on Coastal Tourism: A Case Study for the Black Sea Coast of Russia (2021)

Regional climate change is one of the key factors that should be taken into account when planning the development of the coastal tourism, including investments and construction of tourism-related infrastructure. A case study for the Black Sea coast of Russia shows a series of potential negative hydrological, meteorological, and biological factors that accompany regional warming of the Black Sea Region, that can impede the development of coastal tourism and devalue billions of dollars in investments by the State, private companies, and individuals. We discuss such natural phenomena as air and sea warming, extreme weather events, coastal upwelling, heavy rains, river plumes, wind and waves, tornado, rip currents, sea-level rise, algal bloom, introduced species, and other features characteristic for the region that seriously impact coastal tourism today, and may intensify in the nearest future. Sporadic occurrence of extreme weather events, unpleasant and sometimes dangerous sea and atmosphere phenomena during the summer tourist season, and from year to year can be of critical psychological importance when choosing your next vacation and tourism destination. The research does not include anthropogenic factors, geopolitical, and socio-economic processes, and the COVID-19 pandemic that play an important role in the sustainable development of coastal tourism as well.

Research areas: Atmospheric/Ocean Indicators, Water Quality
Atmospheric Methane Condition over the South Sumatera Peatland during the COVID-19 Pandemic (2021)

ABSTRACT Recent anthropogenic activities have degraded peatlands, the largest natural reservoir of soil carbon, thereby reducing their carbon uptake from the atmosphere. As one of the primary sources of methane (CH4) emissions in terrestrial ecosystems, peatlands also contribute to atmospheric greenhouse gases. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Indonesia implemented a lockdown referred to as large-scale social restrictions (LSSR) in areas with high case numbers. To evaluate the effects of anthropogenic activity on peatlands, we investigated the CH4 concentrations in the atmosphere above the tropical peatlands of the Indonesian province South Sumatra before the LSSR (March 2020), during the LSSR (May 2020), and during the corresponding months of the previous year (March and May 2019). Using satellite-retrieved data from NASA, viz., the CH4 concentration and gross primary production (GPP) measured by the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on board Aqua and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board Terra, respectively, we discovered a decrease of approximately 5.5% in the mean CH4 concentration (which averaged 1.73 ppm across the periods prior to lockdown) as well as an increase in the GPP (which ranged from 53.3 to 63.9 g C m2 day1 during the lockdown, indicating high atmospheric carbon intake) during the LSSR. Thus, the restrictions during lockdown, which reduced anthropogenic activities, such as land use conversion and biomass burning, and related events, such as peatland and forest fires, significantly influenced the level of atmospheric CH4 above the peatlands in Indonesia.

Research areas: Greenhouse Gases, Environmental Impacts
Air quality estimation using remote sensing and GIS-spatial technologies along Al-Shamal train pathway, Al-Qurayyat City in Saudi Arabia (2022)

Air pollution is the atmospheric state in which specific elements concentrations has adverse impacts on human health as well as the environment including global warming, transportation, acidic rain, and ozone layer depletion. Currently, population around the world lives in urban areas coupled with population size in addition to the increasing levels of vehicles which led to deterioration in air quality. Additionally, the clean air is a critical and vital element for environment and health of any region. Therefore, the foci of this research are to detect the air pollution parameters and investigate the relationship with the meteorological parameters including temperature, and wind speed along Al-Shamal train pathway in Al-Qurayyat City in Saudi Arabia using satellite data. This study involved various field visits to distribute questionnaires to residents to gain information about their health status and get their opinions about air quality. The questionnaires analysis manifested poor air quality conditions and thermal pollution due to the rapid urbanization accompanied with the development of the industrial facilities. The main aim of the study was to shed light on using satellite data to detect the concentration of the primary air pollutants including NO2, SO2, and CO to constitute a pre-defensive step to control and improve the air quality in Saudi Arabia. The present study examined using Sentinel-5 Precursor, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and The Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) satellite data to investigate and detect the air pollution parameters in the study area rather than using the traditional measurements from ground stations. The analysis of satellite images revealed an increase in the concentration of air pollution parameters compared to the standard limits of the WHO which can cause crucial negative impacts on the environment as well as human health. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relation between various air pollutants with temperature and wind speed with values ranging between 0.0004 and 0.6604. The statistical analysis of air pollutants showed strong linear correlation that may by attributed to the same emission origin. CO and NO2 on roads have a strong correlation and are emitted by vehicles(R (Albugami et al., 2018) = 0.66). NO2 and CO do not seem to have strong correlation with either SO2 or AOD and their correlation coefficients are weaker, that indicating different emissions sources. The AOD in the study area originated mainly from the windblown dust, construction work, and suspension of particles and therefore do not emitted from traffic.

Research areas: Air Quality, Habitat Conversion/Fragmentation, Public Health
Remote sensing of air pollution due to forest fires and dust storm over Balochistan (Pakistan) (2023)

Forest fires and dust storms, inevitable and unprecedented in their intensity and extent, are a major source of atmospheric pollutants. The implementation of both systematic surveillance and lowering air pollution options from forest fires and dust storms remain largely unrecognized in many parts of the world. Therefore, this study examines the air pollution due to forest fires and dust storms over Pakistan using remote sensing techniques. High aerosol optical depth (AOD) (1.5) and ultraviolet aerosol index (UVAI) (4.50) values were observed in central, eastern, and southeastern Pakistan during May 1825 indicating the dominance of absorbing aerosols (i.e., dust, smoke, and mixed-type aerosols). Mixed, dust, smoke, and non-smoke fine-dominated aerosols were observed on May 16 while dust, smoke, and mixed-type aerosols were found on May 23. Contrary to this, dust aerosols were found in abundance over southwestern Pakistan on May 16 and 22, and central and Southern Pakistan on May 23. Moreover, high concentrations of NO2, CO, and HCHO were found in central, eastern, and northeastern Pakistan during forest fire breakouts. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model forward trajectories and concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis also showed that the air masses from northwestern Pakistan carried away atmospheric pollutants from the forest fire region to eastern, northeastern, and southern Pakistan. These findings can be useful for both air quality and forest management in Pakistan.

Research areas: Wildfires, Air Quality