Air quality directly affects our everyday life. In my group, we target on PM2.5, which is one of the top pollutants with high health risk to the population around the world. PM2.5 is the particulate matter with diameter less and equal to 2.5 micrometers, which is about 3% the diameter of a human hair. Because of the small size of these particles, they can stay longer in the atmosphere, and easily bypass nose and throats, penetrating deeper into lungs and the even circulatory system.
One of our main research tools is the satellite observations of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) platform aboard the NASA Aqua and Terra polar orbiting satellites. By using the satellite-derived PM2.5 field, we can further downscale the PM2.5 distributions based on a dispersion model, mapping its distribution from 3 km to higher resolutions such as 100 m.
The information obtained from the high-resolution PM2.5 field is beneficial for making health-related decisions. Our results are exchanged with our stake-holders, such as California Air Resources Board (CARB), South Coast Air Quality Management District, and Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).
Useful sites:
1. SJSU HAQAST project webpage:
http://www.met.sjsu.edu/weather/HAQAST/
2. San Francisco Bay Area satellite AOD ArcGIS visualization
3. Real-Time Roadway Dispersion Modeling
http://www.met.sjsu.edu/weather/models/finescale
