Assessing the Impact of Temperature, Humidity, and Wind on Air Pollution in Baghdad Using Google Earth Engine and Satellite Technology

Abstract

       The study utilizes satellite-based data analysis to examine the impact of weather factors on air pollution in Baghdad, Iraq, during 2022. The distribution maps of air pollutants (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃) were extracted from Google Earth Engine using specific codes, particularly by converting aerosol optical depth (AOD) data into particulate matter concentrations using a standard equation; the data of the monthly average air pollutants registered from the VENTUSKY platform. The study aims to assess the impact of meteorological factors on air pollution levels in Baghdad and to analyze seasonal variations in pollutant concentrations. The weather data was extracted from the NASA website, and correlation analysis was conducted using the Microsoft Excel program to assess their relationship with LST, temperature, humidity, and wind direction. The monthly air pollution data and meteorological parameters were processed and analyzed statistically, and thematic maps were created to visualize the study area using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. The highest levels of air pollutants for 2022 were observed in certain seasons. PM2.5 was highest in December (47.87 µg/m³) and lowest in March (19.96 µg/m³). PM10 was highest in November (131.90 µg/m³) and lowest in January (48.42 µg/m³). Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) had the highest values in November and the lowest in July. Carbon monoxide (CO) was highest in November (2241.00 ppbv) and lowest in June (841.33 ppbv). Ozone (O3) had the highest concentration in June. Some of these data exceed the World Health Organization's standards and pose a danger to the public. Results indicate a strong negative correlation between land surface temperature (LST) and SO₂ (-0.83), NO₂ (-0.68), and CO (-0.76), whereas ozone (O₃) displayed a strong positive correlation (0.96) with LST. Higher humidity levels were associated with increased SO₂ (0.8), NO₂ (0.7), and CO (0.8). The results show that air pollution levels tend to increase during colder months and decrease during warmer periods. The findings suggest that additional variables contribute to fluctuations in air quality. This research underscores the significance of continuous air quality monitoring in gaining a deeper understanding of pollution dynamics throughout the year, thereby mitigating health risks and promoting public awareness for informed decision-making regarding regular outdoor activities.