Spatial distribution of aerosol pollution based on MODIS data over Beijing, China

With the help of regression analysis, the relationships were detected between aerosol's contribution to apparent reflectance (ACR) derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board Terra and hourly PM10 mass concentration measured at 30 ground-based locations in Beijing for the August of 2003 and 2004. It was shown that there was a good correlation between the ACR and PM10 (linear correlation coefficient, R = 0.56). On the basis of this relationship, spatial distribution and possible sources of PM10 derived from MODIS were analyzed and two frequently heavily-polluted regions were found, namely downtown of the city and the district near Xishan Mountain. These two regions coincidently are also urban heat island centers. The foundings of this paper will be greatly useful for environmental monitoring and urban planning for Beijing, especially for the 2008 Olympic game to be held in Beijing.