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Assessing Satellite-based Fire Data for use in the National Emissions Inventory
Citation:
SOJA, A. J., J. Al-Saadi, L. Giglio, D. Randall, C. Kittaka, G. POULIOT, J. KORDZI, S. Raffuse, T. G. Pace, T. E. PIERCE, T. MOORE, B. ROY, R. Pierce, AND J. SZYKMAN. Assessing Satellite-based Fire Data for use in the National Emissions Inventory. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing. SPIE/International Society for Optical Engineering, Bellingham, WA, 3(031504):1-28, (2009).
Impact/Purpose:
The National Exposure Research Laboratory′s (NERL′s) Atmospheric Modeling Division (AMD) conducts research in support of EPA′s mission to protect human health and the environment. AMD′s research program is engaged in developing and evaluating predictive atmospheric models on all spatial and temporal scales for forecasting the Nation′s air quality and for assessing changes in air quality and air pollutant exposures, as affected by changes in ecosystem management and regulatory decisions. AMD is responsible for providing a sound scientific and technical basis for regulatory policies based on air quality models to improve ambient air quality. The models developed by AMD are being used by EPA, NOAA, and the air pollution community in understanding and forecasting not only the magnitude of the air pollution problem, but also in developing emission control policies and regulations for air quality improvements.
Description:
Biomass burning is significant to emission estimated because: (1) it can be a major contributor of particulate matter and other pollutants; (2) it is one of the most poorly documented of all sources; (3) it can adversely affect human health; and (4) it has been identified as a significant contributor to climate change through feedbacks with the radiation budget. Additionally, biomass burning can be a significant contributor to a regions inability to achieve the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM 2.5 and ozone, particularly on the top 20% worst air quality days. The United States does not have a standard methodology to track fire occurrence or area burned, which are essential components to estimating fire emissions.
URLs/Downloads:
Assessing Satellite-based Fire Data for use in the National Emissions Inventory (PDF, NA pp, 7399 KB, about PDF)Journal of Applied Remote Sensing
