atmospheric pollution monitoring
Originally a natural phenomenon, atmospheric pollution has only been a major concern in the last several centuries, primarily in connection with the industrial revolution. Since then, the burning of various fuels, including coal, oil, and wood, the release of chemical pollutants and the release of volcanic aerosols into the atmosphere have been attributed to an increase in atmospheric pollution. These pollutants, while they are not all directly harmful to human health, can have a major impact on the environment.
Atmospheric pollution is caused mainly by human activities, such as burning of fossil fuels, industrial activities, motor vehicle exhaust, and agricultural activities. Other sources of atmospheric pollution are natural events such as wind-blown dust and ash, volcanic eruptions, forest fires and lightening strikes. The pollutants released by these activities include carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter (PM) in the form of soot, smoke, dust, and aerosols.
Various environmental health concerns are associated with atmospheric pollution, including acid rain, global climate change, reduced air quality, and increased risk of illness and diseases, such as asthma and cancer. Therefore, monitoring of atmospheric pollution has become an important area of research.
Atmospheric pollution monitoring is a complex process due to the varying size and shape of pollutants, their different chemical compositions, and their uncertain sources and dispersal paths in the atmosphere. Therefore, a combination of scientific methods is employed for atmospheric pollution monitoring. These include:
• Air Quality Index Monitoring: The Air Quality Index, or AQI, is a measure of the level of pollutants in the air and is used to inform the public about the levels of air pollution present in their environment. The index is calculated from several different measurements including ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide.
• Ground Signal Monitoring: This method of monitoring is conducted using ground-based air quality monitoring stations, located in cities and towns, which measure the levels of different pollutants in the air. These measurements are combined with ground-level observations, such as the visibility in various locations, to determine the air quality in the location where the measurements are taken.
• Remote Sensing: Remote sensing technology, such as satellite and aerial photography, is used to detect, measure, and monitor the changes in the environment over time and in relation to different locations. Certain types of remote sensing techniques are used to detect changes associated with air pollution, such as the changes in land surface temperature, aerosol concentrations, and smoke or dust plumes.
• Chemical and Physical Analyses: Chemical and physical analyses are used to detect the composition and concentrations of different pollutants in the atmosphere. In these analyses, the pollutants are usually collected through a filter, which can be part of an air pollution monitoring station or an aircraft.
Atmospheric pollution monitoring is essential for forecasting and predicting air pollution levels and for understanding the effects of pollution on human health and the environment. With the development of new monitoring technologies, it is now possible to obtain better and more accurate information about the levels of atmospheric pollution and their sources, as well as their effects on the environment and people. Governments, environmental groups, and researchers are therefore increasingly relying on these tools for the purpose of monitoring, evaluating, and reducing the level of atmospheric pollution.
