K. Madhavi Latha

Impact of aerosols on total columnar ozone measurements—a case study using satellite and ground-based instruments

Abstract Long-term record of global distribution of ozone during 1979 to 2001, from Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS), over a tropical urban environment has been analyzed and compared with ground measurements. Increase in atmospheric UV-absorbing aerosol loading has been observed after 1991. TOMS columnar ozone during 1979 to 2001 suggested a clear Gaussian pattern of minimum concentration in winter months and maximum in summer months. TOMS ozone showed good correlation with the ground measured columnar ozone during winter months and negative correlation with Sunburning Ultraviolet (SUV) (280–370 nm), UVA and aerosol optical depth (AOD).

Forest fires monitoring using envisat-aatsr data

Forests over Indian region are fire prone during summer season and effective means for monitoring such events is important. Satellite data with its repetitive and wide area coverage provides data sets required for monitoring such events. The advances in sensor technology and multi-satellite systems have improved capability for monitoring such events. The present study addresses forest fires monitoring using night time data sets of ENVISAT-AATSR data over Indian Region. The results of the study indicated that region specific algorithms are required for forest fire detection as soils in tropical regions have higher temperatures during night time.

Studies on satellite and ground-based measurements of aerosols over urban environment

Abstract EP/TOMS satellite-derived aerosol index (AI) data have been analyzed over typical tropical urban environment corresponding to Hyderabad, India to study seasonal and annual distribution of UV-absorbing aerosols. Observations reveal that UV-absorbing aerosol loading is highly seasonal. During the years 1987, 1991 and 1992 high concentration of UV-absorbing aerosols into the atmosphere over Hyderabad region has been observed. UV-absorbing aerosols are high during summer period. Ground-based measurements of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and satellite-derived AI showed good correlation with AOD at 380 nm .