Access, Visualization, and Interoperability of Air Quality Remote Sensing Data Sets via the Giovanni Online Tool

This paper describes the air quality data products and services available through Giovanni, a web based tool for access, visualization, and analysis of satellite remote sensing products, and also model output and surface observations relevant to global air quality. Available datasets include total column aerosol measurements from numerous satellite instruments, column NO₂ and SO₂, vertical aerosol products from CALIPSO, surface PM_2.5 concentrations over the continental U.S, and speciated model Aerosol Optical Depth. Giovanni was designed to make satellite and ground-based data easier to use; it does not require separate access to or downloading of data sets, making the visualizations and analysis services accessible to both the novice and the experienced user. Giovanni air quality data products are provided on a common grid and can also be obtained in KMZ format for Google Earth visualization. This feature allows collocation of datasets to aid in analysis of pollution events and to facilitate satellite/monitor comparisons and aerosol intercomparison studies in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. Giovanni also supports multiple interoperability protocols which permit data sharing with other online tools, in order to enhance access to the datasets for improved air quality decision making. The Giovanni team is currently actively involved in several data networking initiatives with service oriented tools at other institutions such as DataFed.

I. Introduction

Fine particle concentrations have been associated in numerous studies with increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disease [1]. Aerosol remote sensing measurements with boundary layer sensitivity can greatly enhance society's ability to detect pollutants, issue health alerts and monitor trends in air quality. Trace gases can also contribute to poor air quality and several can be monitored from space, including , , CO, , and . Some of these gases, and , are also precursors to aerosol formation. Particulates and the precursors to secondary particle formation affect human health and the environment near emission sources. Furthermore, particulates can travel over relatively long distances and affect air quality downwind over regions that may or may not have in situ surface monitoring available. Because of their greater spatial coverage compared to in situ observations, satellite aerosol observations are particularly well suited for monitoring long range transport of pollution.