IDEA - Infusing satellite Data into Environmental (air quality) Applications

Summer 2003: PrototypeAnalysis, Fusion, and Visualization of

NASA ESE and US EPA data for use in AIRNow

NASA-LaRC/USEPA Air Quality Applications Group

IDEA: NASA-EPA-NOAA partnership to improve air quality assessment, management, and prediction by infusing (NASA) satellite measurements into (EPA, NOAA) analyses for public benefit.

IDEA (Infusing satellite data into environmental air quality applications)

Part of NASA Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) Applications Program strategy to demonstrate practical uses of NASA sponsored observations from remote sensing systems and predictions from scientific research.

AIRNow

• AIRNow is a website to provide the public with easy access to national air quality information. The website offers daily air quality forecasts as well as real-time air quality for over 275 cities across the U.S., and provides links to more detailed State and local air quality websites.

•It is a joint partnership between EPA, State and local air quality agencies. The mission of the AIRNow program is to provide air quality forecasts and real-time air quality information in a visual, easy-to-understand format.

AIRNow Online - May 14, 1998 Ozone

-14 States- 5 Domains - Maps updated 7 times/day - Data Collection Center (DCC) at MCNC- Animation, 1-hr & 8-hr Peak Maps- Forecasts for 35 Cities

- August 17, 1998- Midwest States added - 20 States- 12 Domains

-AIRNow Website

AIRNow May 1, 2000Ozone

- 33 States - 37 Domains- 7 updates/day- EPA & West Coast DCC’s merge

-125 Forecast Cities

… and National Outreach

AIRNow 2001 - Extended into CanadaOzone

Canada 1-hr AQI - English Canada 1-hr AQI - French

U.S. 8-hr AQI

AIRNow 2000 - Media OutreachOzone

- AQI Forecast for 36 Cities

-AQI Forecasts for 125 Cities

-Maps and Forecasts delivered to major WSP’s

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• Real-Time Reporting & Mapping of PM2.5

– Air quality (esp. PM2.5) is a year-round problem & scientific evidence pointing to PM2.5 as a serious health concern

– Over 230 continuous PM2.5 monitors reporting data to AIRNow DMC

– Various mapping approaches being developed, analyzed and implemented

– Target: Maps for the public by October 1, 2003

AIRNow 2003AQI (PM 2.5) Reporting & Mapping

• AQI Forecasting for PM2.5

– Provides year-round coverage– EPA pilot effort focusing on 36 major cities across the

U.S.– Currently developing PM2.5 forecast tools for State and

Local Agencies – MODIS/AIRNow data fusion would be one of many tools

– Target: PM2.5 forecasts for the public for all 36 cities by October 1, 2003

AIRNow 2003AQI (PM 2.5) Forecasting

Source: US EPA, 2003

What: Near-Real-Time Data Fusion of MODIS Direct Broadcast and EPA AIRNow Data (Currently using NOAA Bent Pipe)

When: Summer 2003

Who: NASA LaRC and GSFC

CIMSS/SSEC Univ. Of Wisc.-Madison & NOAA

US EPA OAR/OAQPS

Select group of AQI Forecasters

Objective: Prototype a NRT product for AQI Forecasters

Goal: Improve accuracy of next day PM2.5 AQI forecast during large aerosol events

NASA MODIS - EPA AIRNow Data Fusion Demonstration 2003:

Improving Air Quality Index  (PM 2.5) Forecasting

AIRNow Air Quality Index (AQI) PM2.5 forecasting

Data User - AQI Forecasters:

• State & local air management agencies, as well as commercial interest (access to a combined MODIS/TEOM data product will increase forecast skill in next-day regional AQI forecast)

Benefit - AQI Forecasts Users:

• Government and Industry who want take action to reduce source emissions for forecast days with poor air quality

• Commercial media outlets that provide AQI forecast information

• Sensitive populations adversely affected by poor air quality

Application of MODIS Data within US EPA AIRNow Program

Products (Near Real Time)

Products

State & Local

Canadian Providences

NOAAOAR/ARL

NASALaRC

SSEC/CIMSSUniv. of Wisc.Madison

(MIPPS)

Direct Broadcast*

DB Aerosol Optical Depth(MOD04_L2)DB Cloud Optical Thickness (MOD06_L2)

TERRA MODISTERRA MODISAQUA-1 MODISAQUA-1 MODIS

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ProductsEDAS Forecast Data

US EPAAIRNow

DMCProducts

AIRNow Hourly PM2.5 Data

Prototype - US EPA AIRNow Use of MODIS DataPrototype - US EPA AIRNow Use of MODIS Data

ProductsMODIS/AIRNow Data FusionSite Static Data

AIRNowForecasters

~10:30 local overpass~1:30 local overpass

Algorithms

NASAGFSC

Science Team

NASAGFSCDACC

*Note: SSEC/CIMSS indicated that DB will not be implemented until the end of the summer. Current plan is to use NOAA bent pipe to generated NRT for prototype, until DB begins.

Products Aerosol Optical Depth(MOD04_L2)Cloud Optical Thickness (MOD06_L2)

NOAANESDIS/ORA

NOAA bent pipe

MODIS AOD & COD Availability of Data

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MODIS (Terra) Overpass Time

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MODIS (Terra) AOD & COT

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MODIS (Terra) AOD & COT

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MODIS (Terra) AOD & COT

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MODIS (Terra) AOD & COT

MODIS/AIRnowExample Forecast Products

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MPEG of Data Fusion MODIS/AIRNow Data

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Site Time Series and Correlation Coefficient

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0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0 15.5 40.5 65.5 150.5

Aerosol Optical Depth Cloud Optical Thickness PM2.5 (ug/m3)

10 Sept. 2002- A different projection from VGEO shows the results of the forward air parcel trajectories after 53 hrs initialized at 850mb from NOAA/ARL HYSLPIT model. A cluster of the

trajectories appear close to the ground surface in areas of high AOD from MODIS.

NASA-LaRC/USEPA Air QualityApplications Group

Still Imagery with Text Explanation