On the aerosols monitoring by satellite observations

Particulate matter is the general term used to identify a complex mixture of organic and inorganic particles (aerosols) that can be found suspended in the atmosphere in solid, liquid or both physical states. The presence of particulate of non-natural origin is linked to important climatic and environmental effects. The interactions of these particles with the solar radiation, the Earth and the atmospheric gases, can modify the atmosphere physical and chemical characteristics, the temperature vertical profile and other thermodynamic variables, as well as the Earth surface characteristics and its temperature. Studies on the particles have furthermore demonstrated the existence of a link between the presence of fine and ultra-fine particulate of non-natural origin and some effects on the health of human and other living being. The aerosols can contaminate a wide area of the region surrounding the source of particulate. Based upon all these reasons it is considered the utmost importance to develop a satellite-based system capable of monitoring the presence of particulate on very large areas. This paper provides methodologies to identify atmospheric particles by means of satellite-based sensors operating both in the reflective and in the thermal infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.