Global monitoring of air pollution over land from the Earth Observing System-Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)

Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) measurements (7 channels: 0.47–2.1 μm, 250–500 m resolutions) provide us with new insights into the characteristics of global aerosols. MODIS retrieves not only aerosol loading but also the fraction of fine mode particle. In this paper we demonstrate MODIS capability for use in monitoring global, regional, and local air pollution. Three case studies in northern Italy, Los Angeles, and Beijing showed the conclusive results of applying MODIS‐derived aerosol optical depths (τa) to regional and local air pollution in terms of accuracy (Δτa = ±0.05 ± 0.2τa) and spatial sensitivity of the retrievals. Under stagnant condition, accumulated aerosol abundance can reach τa > 1 (at 0.55 μm) before being removed by wind or precipitation. The correlation found between Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) daily averaged τa and 24‐hour PM10 (particulate matter with diameter