Retrieval of Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) and its Relationship to Air Pollution Particulate Matter (PM10)

This paper presents a transmittance measurements technique collected by using FieldSpec HandHeld (Fieldspec HH) spectroradiometer to derive the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) in the atmosphere at 550 nm to improve the particulate matters of less than 10 micron (PM10) concentrations mapping. The concentrations of PM10 at selected locations were measured simultaneously with the atmospheric transmittance measurements using DustTrak Aerosol Monitor 8520 and their locations were determined by using a Global Positioning System (GPS). AOT and PM10 maps were then generated using Kriging interpolation technique for estimating aerosol values to be associated with their distribution patterns. Regression graph were plotted and value of linear correlation coefficient (R²) were determined to see on the accuracies of the data collected in term of linear relationship between AOT and PM10 values, where the value of R² = 1 represent the theoretically perfect fit. This study proved that AOT measurements can be determined by using Fieldspec HH. The results produced in this study showed a strong linear relationship between AOT and PM10 values over Makkah, Mina and Arafah.