**5. Conclusions**

models and requires special parameterization of processes that often lead to errors. Another restriction is the simplified chemistry used for the simulation. The computational power necessary for the implementation of a full chemistry scheme is not currently available.

The model results were evaluated using the AOT fields provided by the NASA AERONET available from http://aeronet.gsfc.nasa.gov. The data comparison represents the AOT for all aerosols simulated in the model as well as those observed in the atmosphere at 550nm wavelength. The observed AOT was averaged over the 5-hour output intervals in line with the averaged AOT over the same period from the model. Figure 18 shows the eight AERONET stations which observational data were available during the simulation period and which were used in this study. These stations are not necessarily located in dust-dominated regions but

The scatter plot between the modeled and observed AOT is shown in Figure 19. Different colors and symbols are used for each station ID (see legend). As shown, the model is capable of simulating the AOT in general. However, at some stations (Leipzig, Palencia, Paris) the model tends to underestimate the observed AOT. This is explained by the use of the reduced atmospheric chemistry scheme in the model that does not fully account for urban air pollution in addition to the unresolved physics at small scales in the global models. However, the comparison of the output of the model for the AOT with the measured values from the AERONET network indicates that the simulated atmosphere is valid in areas with similar climatological and industrial characteristics to Cyprus, while for areas with heavy industry, there is a significant deviation which can be justified from the reduced chemistry module used

can be more strongly affected by other aerosol types, including air pollution.

**Figure 18.** AERONET stations used to evaluate the model results

204 Remote Sensing of Environment: Integrated Approaches

for the runs.

An integrated methodology for assessing and studying air pollution in several areas of Cyprus was presented through the AIRSPACE project. Satellite derived aerosol optical thickness data along with LIDAR, sun-photometric and in-situ (PM) measurements were analyzed. The proposed integration of several tools and technologies provides to the user an alternative way for assessing and monitoring air pollution.

First, a new multiple linear regression model for estimating PM10 using AOT values and some other auxiliary meteorological atmospheric parameters has been developed for the urban area of Limassol in Cyprus. AOT can be retrieved by satellite sensors and is validated on the ground

**Author details**

Natalia Kouremerti1

Souzana Achilleos5

Diofantos G. Hadjimitsis1

Kyriacos Themistocleous1

, Rodanthi-Elisavet Mamouri1

, Marios A. Hadjicharalambous6

, Christiana Papoutsa1

, Dimitris Paronis2

1 Cyprus University of Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Remote Sensing and Geo-Environment Lab, Cyprus

6 Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sci‐

[1] Astitha, M, Lelieveld, J, Abdel, M, & Kader, A. Pozzer, and A. de Meij. "New param‐ eterization of dust emissions in the global atmospheric chemistry-climate model EMAC", Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, 12(5):13237{13298, May

[2] Bosenberg, J, et al. (2003). EARLINET: A European Aerosol Research LIDAR Net‐ work, Rep. 348, MPI-Rep. 337, 191 pp., Max-Planck-Inst. fur Meteorol., Hamburg,

[3] Chudnovsky, A, Kostinski, A, Lyapustin, A, & Koutrakis, P. Spatial scales of pollu‐ tion from variable resolution satellite imaging", Environmental Pollution, (2013). ,

7 The Cyprus Institute, Energy, Environment and Water Research Center, Cyprus

8 Cyprus University of Technology, Research and Int. Relations Services, Cyprus

, George Zittis7

, Adrianos Retalis2

John S. Evans5,6, Mohamed M. Abdel Kader7

2 National Observatory of Athens, Greece

3 Cyprus Meteorological Service, Cyprus

ences, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus

9 Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany

4 Frederick University, Cyprus

5 Harvard University, USA

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Jos Lelieveld7,9 and Petros Koutrakis5,6

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, Spyros Athanasatos3

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, Filippos Tymvios3

,

,

, Marilia Panayiotou8

, Skevi Perdikou4

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,

**Figure 20.** Comparison between the modeled (dark green) and observed (light green) AOT for Limassol AERONET on September 2011

by using measured values with sunphotometers. Such model can be used for future satellite acquisitions. The integrated use of several resources and technologies such as satellite image data, LIDAR measurements, meteorological data and sunphotometric data lead to the development of new approaches in estimating PM concentrations for Limassol AERONET on September 2011 **5. Conclusions** 

**Figure 20:** Comparison between the modeled (dark green) and observed (light green) AOT

Second, an atmospheric chemical simulation model was run for the period September-October 2011. The model results were evaluated using the AOT provided by the NASA AERONET. AOT estimations have been compared with the available AOT measurements from CUT-TEPAK AERONET site. It has been found that the modeled and observed AOT values were in good agreement, except during the periods of peak PM concentrations. An integrated methodology for assessing and studying air pollution in several areas of Cyprus was presented through the AIRSPACE project. Satellite derived aerosol optical thickness data along with LIDAR, sun-photometric and in-situ (PM) measurements were analyzed. The proposed integration of several tools and technologies provides to the user an

#### **Acknowledgements** A new multiple linear regression model for estimating PM10 using AOT values and some

model.

alternative way for assessing and monitoring air pollution.

The results presented in this Chapter form part of the research project "Air Pollution from Space in Cyprus" - AIRSPACE, funded by the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation of Cyprus, under contract No. AEIFORIA/ASTI/0609(BE)/12. Special thanks to Harvard Univer‐ sity for funding their participation. other auxiliary parameters such as meteorological atmospheric parameters has been developed for the urban area of Limassol in Cyprus. AOT can be retrieved by satellite sensors and is validated on the ground by using measured values with sunphotometers. Such model can be used for future satellite acquisitions. The integrated use of several

resources and technologies such as satellite image data, LIDAR measurements, meteorological data and sunphotometric data lead to the development of the regression

A model simulation was performed over the period September-October 2011. The model results were evaluated using the AOT provided by the NASA AERONET. AOT estimations have been compared with the available AOT measurements from CUT-TEPAK AERONET site. It has been found that the modeled and observed AOT values were in good agreement.
