Title: Temporal behaviour of Asian dust aerosols observed in 2001 using meteorological satellite data

Authors: Naoko Iino, Toshiaki Yano, Toshikatsu Masumizu, Kisei Kinoshita, Itsushi Uno, Shuichi Torii

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890–0065, Japan. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890–0065, Japan. ' Faculty of Social Welfare, Daiichi Welfare University, Dazaifu, Fukuoka, 818–0194, Japan. ' Faculty of Education, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890–0065, Japan. ' Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University, Kasuga, Fukuoka, 816–8680, Japan. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan

Abstract: The advection and dispersion of Asian dust events from China and Mongolia to the Pacific Ocean around Japan in the spring of 2001 were investigated using meteorological satellite data, NOAA/AVHRR and GMS-5/VISSR. Aerosol Vapour Index (AVI) images, taking the brightness temperature difference between 11 and 12 _m, are very effective in monitoring the Asian dust phenomenon in the east Asian region, because of their capacity for night-time detection. Time-series GMS AVI images, at three hourly intervals, are useful in making clear the dynamic behaviour of Asian dust. The satellite images are well reproduced by the online dust tracer model, CFORS, coupled with a regional-scale meteorological model.

Keywords: brightness temperature difference; split window method; yellow sand; Asian dust; dust aerosols; dust dispersion; air pollution; China; Mongolia; global warming; air quality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2004.005533

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2004 Vol.4 No.3, pp.208 - 219

Published online: 14 Oct 2004 *

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