The differences between remote sensing and in situ air pollutant measurements over the Canadian oil sands

• Published in: Atmospheric measurement techniques 2024-12, Vol.17 (23), p.6889-6912
• Main Authors: Zhao, Xiaoyi, Fioletov, Vitali, Griffin, Debora, McLinden, Chris, Staebler, Ralf, Mihele, Cristian, Strawbridge, Kevin, Davies, Jonathan, Abboud, Ihab, Lee, Sum Chi, Cede, Alexander, Tiefengraber, Martin, Swap, Robert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerosol optical depth; Air; Air monitoring; Air pollution; Air pollution measurements; Air quality; Air quality measurements; Altitude; Atmospheric research; Bitumen; Bitumens; Boundary layer height; Boundary layers; Comparative analysis; Emissions; Environmental monitoring; Height; In situ measurement; Lidar; Measurement; Measuring instruments; Meteorological data; Mining; Nitrogen dioxide; Nitrous oxide emissions; Oil pollution; Oil sands; Oils & fats; Optical analysis; Optical radar; Optical thickness; Outdoor air quality; Particulate matter; Plumes; Pollutants; Pollution sources; Remote monitoring; Remote sensing; Satellite observation; Satellites; Spectrometers; Spectrum analysis; Sulfur dioxide; Trends; Wind; Wind data; Wind measurement; Wind profiles; Winds
• ISSN: 1867-8548; 1867-1381; 1867-8548
• DOI: 10.5194/amt-17-6889-2024

Ground-based remote sensing instruments have been widely used for atmospheric research, but applications for air quality monitoring remain limited. Compared to an in situ instrument that provides air quality conditions at the ground level, most remote sensing instruments (nadir viewing) are sensitive to a broad range of altitudes, often providing only integrated column observations. These column data can be more difficult to interpret and to relate to surface values and hence to "nose-height-level" health factors. This research utilized ground-based remote sensing and in situ air quality observations in Canada's Athabasca oil sands region to investigate some of their differences.