Pollution in Eastern China

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor aboard the Aqua satellite observed a heavy pall of pollution (gray pixels) over much of eastern China on February 19, 2003. The haze appears to be particularly thick over the Shaanxi and Henan provinces in the eastern central part of the country. Notice how the pollution tends to “pool” up around mountainous terrain in the higher resolution version of this scene.

The various light brown hues show bare land surface, while the darker browns show vegetated landscapes. A heavy discharge of sediments into the Bo Hai Bay and western Yellow Sea are coloring the surface waters caramel. There are a few red dots in this scene, indicating the locations of active fires.

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Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

Published February 20, 2003
Data acquired February 19 - 19, 2003

Source:

Aqua > MODIS

Topics:

Atmosphere > Air Quality > Emissions

Atmosphere > Air Quality > Smog

Human Dimensions > Natural Hazards > Fires

Collection:

MODIS Rapid Response