Remote sensing of particulate matter concentrations over the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

In this study, a regional algorithm to retrieve particulate matter (PM) concentrations (PM
_2.5
and PM
₁₀
) from satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is developed. Comparisons between in situ measured and estimated PM concentrations indicate good accuracy of the established algorithm. PM concentrations calculated from the proposed algorithm indicate high values in summer and low value in winter. Estimated and in situ measured PM concentrations were higher in 2015 than 2014. Remote sensing can reveal and backtrack the seasonality of PM concentrations and provide important information on the variations of air quality and protection of human health.