Introduction

False-color view of the monthly-averaged total ozone over the Antarctic pole
Smoke from an oil refinery
Wildfire
A terraced rice-farm is near the slopes of the erupting Mayon volcano. Ash plume and projectiles are seen on the volcanic cone.

Satellite-based remote sensing supports a number of applications related to atmospheric composition.

Animation showing total ozone in Dobson units as measured by the GOME-1 instrument from 18 Sep to 11 Oct 2002

Monitoring stratospheric ozone

The best-known application with the longest established contribution from satellites is stratospheric ozone monitoring. This continues to be important as we monitor the anticipated recovery of the ozone layer.

Satellite animation of carbon monoxide emitted from fires in Russia as viewed by the IASI instrument

Tracking long-range pollution transport

In addition, tracking long-range pollution transport is an application ideally suited to satellites, which can potentially provide global coverage on a daily basis.

A MACC ozone forecast graphic centered on Italy

Monitoring air quality

With recent advances in space-based instrumentation and retrieval techniques, satellite data now support air quality monitoring both at global and regional scales.

Grassland and bushes on fire

Monitoring biomass burning

Close view of Stromboli Volcano erupting incandescent molten lava fragments.

Monitoring volcanic eruptions

Fires and smoke in eastern Siberia as seen with Aqua/MODIS

Monitoring wildfire emissions

Satellites also make important contributions to monitoring biomass burning, fire emissions, and volcanic eruptions.

Fires and smoke in eastern Siberia as seen with Aqua/MODIS

Monitoring wildfire emissions

Satellites also make important contributions to monitoring biomass burning, fire emissions, and volcanic eruptions.

Photo of a coal-fired power plant.
Melting ice sheet, Greenland

With the increasing urgency to observe and understand climate change, monitoring greenhouse gases to help estimate surface fluxes is an emerging field.

Terra MODIS image of dust storm over southwest Asia and the Middle East (March 2012)

Improved knowledge about the role of aerosols in climate change is also a pressing area of scientific research to which satellite data can contribute.

During the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano in early May 2010, the Ozone Monitoring Instrument on NASA's Aura showed the eruption's sulfur dioxide plume, which is a marker for fresh volcanic ash clouds.
NOAA Air Resources Laboratory HYSPLIT model 3-hour forecast of the ash plume path from the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano in early May 2010

This module focuses on the uses of satellite observations for monitoring and forecasting atmospheric composition. We will also summarize the development of related operational applications and services. Although not discussed here, note that surface and ground-based remote sensing networks provide an important component of the observing system, and many detailed research activities underpin the development of longer term operational services.