The maps below (for India) presents data extracted from a global database distributed by Dalhousie University. The data is available at 0.1° and 0.01° resolution. We utilize the later to build these maps, aggregated to 0.25° (which is our modeling domain resolution) and also aggregated to state and district levels. The global dataset is available in multiple formats to import and use on multiple presentation platforms.
“We estimate ground-level fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by combining Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) retrievals from the NASA MODIS, MISR, and SeaWIFS instruments with the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model, and subsequently calibrated to global ground-based observations of PM2.5 using Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) as detailed in the below reference.”
Reference: van Donkelaar, A., R.V Martin, M.Brauer, N. C. Hsu, R. A. Kahn, R. C Levy, A. Lyapustin, A. M. Sayer, and D. M Winker, Global Estimates of Fine Particulate Matter using a Combined Geophysical-Statistical Method with Information from Satellites, Models, and Monitors, Environ. Sci. Technol, doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5b05833, 2016. [Link]
Note: Satellites are not measuring one location all the times. A combination of satellites provide a cache of measurements, which are interpreted using the global chemical transport models to better represent the vertical mix of pollution and finally arrive at the ground-based estimates with the help of past ground-based measurements. The global transport models rely on gridded emission estimates for multiple sectors for multiple years to establish a relationship with satellite observations over multiple years.
The global PM2.5 files are available @ Dalhousie University.
Individual gridded maps for years 1998 to 2014 are available here.
The state and (640) district boundary shapefiles from 2011 Census are available here.
Data visualization of the state and the district level data for all the years @ knoema.com
All the re-analysis and interpretations are sole responsibility of the authors @ UrbanEmissions.Info. Please send your comments, questions, and data requests to simair@urbanemissions.info.
*****
What will it take to make Indian cities environment smart?
Commentary article in India Together (2015)
Info graph with methods to report air quality index (2015) Download
The polluted air we breathe
Op-Ed in the Hindu (2015) Download
Nature of air pollution, emission sources, and management in the Indian cities
Journal article in Atmospheric Environment (2014) Download
[Cover story in India Today]
Re-fueling road transport for better air quality in India
Journal article in Energy Policy (2014) Download
[Study results are included in the Planning Commission’s National Transport Policy Committee report]
[Supporting material from the study]
[Press cover in Times of India]
[Press cover in Hindustan Times]
Atmospheric emissions and pollution from the coal-fired thermal power plants in India
Journal article in Atmospheric Environment (2014) Download
[Press release from Q&A in Rajya Sabha – Indian Parliament]
[Press release in New York Times]
[Supporting material from the study]
*****
We would like to thank the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (Delhi, India) for their support towards this research.