Evaluation of aerosol optical thickness over Malaysia based on multi-source ground and satellite data

• Main Authors: Youssef, Khaled Ali Ahmed Ben, Abdullah, Ahmad Makmom, Mohd Shafri, Helmi Zulhaidi, Ash'aari, Zulfa Hanan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press 2019
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/76325/1/25%20JST%28S%29-0472-2019.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/76325/; http://www.pertanika.upm.edu.my/Pertanika%20PAPERS/JST%20Vol.%2027%20(4)%20Oct.%202019/25%20JST(S)-0472-2019.pdf

This study evaluates the spatiotemporal distribution of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) over Malaysia. The significance of aerosols in regional and global climate change assessment has become a pressing topic in recent climate discussions. Two different approaches are used in measuring AOT; satellite imagery and ground measurement approaches. However, the satellite approach is deemed the best way for monitoring the patterns and transport of aerosols largely due to its extensive spatial coverage and reliable repetitive measurements. The data in this study were obtained from a Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS), a Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR), and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite sensors based on a NASA-operated Giovanni portal. Ground-based Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) datasets from two sites over the study area were also used. The results show that the highest AOT ground values of 1.93 and 2.00 were recorded in September 2015, at USM station and Kuching station, respectively. Throughout the 15 years of recorded data, the monthly average value of AOT reached its highest values in September, October, and November. In these months, the value of AOT went above 0.40, unlike in other months of the year. Significantly, the results indicate that Malaysian air quality can be evaluated based on AOT values, as these show the variation in optical properties of aerosol.