The Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer(MISR) launched by NASA in late 1999 has a unique mul-tiangle design,which points nine cameras at fixed angles along the satellite flight track and collects reflected solar radiation simultaneously.This design allows the retrieval of a rich dataset of particle abundance,shape and composition over both land and ocean.Some of its capabilities have not been seen by any currently operating satellite aerosol sensors.Since MISR is sensitive to fine particles,it provides a new data source to study the spatial and temporal characteristics of air quality over large geographical regions.We first briefly introduce the MISR instrument,the retrieval and structure of MISR aerosol data,and then review the applications of MISR aerosol data in various aspects of air quality research since its launch.These include the spatial distributions of particle pollution events such as dust storms,wild fires,and urban pollution.Because of the high quality of MISR aerosol data,they can be used as quantitative indicators of particle pollution levels.We review the current modeling studies of surface level particle concentrations.Next,we introduce research results using MISR's advanced data such as the plume heights,and particle microphysical properties.In the discussion,we compare MISR research with current MODIS research to the best of our ability as MODIS data have been more extensively explored by the Chinese scientific community.Finally,we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of MISR data related to its applications to the air quality research.Given the highly quantitative measurements and comprehensive aerosol information MISR can provide,we believe that it will provide great values to advance our understanding of the particle air pollution in China.
Diffusion process of tracer experiments on complex seashore of Sanmen in Zhejiang Province of China is simulated by a combined modeling system.This system is composed of the diagnostic wind model Calmet,which provides a high-resolution wind field,and the Lagrangian random-walk dispersion model RPPM which calculates surface concentration distribution for comparison with the field measurement.In each tracer experiment,tracer concentration is measured at sample stations which spread over several arcs so as to capture the main body of the plume.Comparison between surface concentrations generated by the two methods reveals that the modeling system considerably well simulates the trajectory of the plume and distribution of surface concentration.
