i Detection of Smoke and Dust Aerosols Using Multi-sensor Satellite ...

1.1 Importance of Studying Smoke and Dust Aerosols
The study of atmospheric aerosols has become a very interesting topic in recent
years because of the evidence of their impacts on climate change (Estelles et al., 2007).
The aerosol, deserving the same consideration as greenhouse gases, plays important roles
in atmospheric chemistry, cloud microphysics, temperature, and radiation balance in the
lower atmosphere (Li et al., 2001). Smoke from wildfires and dust storm are two kinds of
frequently occurred natural phenomena over the continents. They may have potential
impacts on the climate, environment, and air quality. Particulate matter from smoke is the
major pollutant of concern, which is a general term for a mixture of solid particles and
liquid droplets found in the air.
Dust storm, usually aroused in arid and semi-arid regions, can carry large quantity
of dust and move forward like an overwhelming tide to destroy crop plants, ruin the
mining and communication facilities, weather vestiges, damage small villages, reduce
visibility and human’s daily activity, and impact the aircraft and road transportation. It
pollutes the atmosphere and air quality, influences cloud formation (James et al., 2007),
obscures the sunlight, and reduces the temperature. Some dust storm can suspend on the
air for several days and travel by the wind far from the place where it originated. Recently,
several researches observed that the heavy dust storm can impact the formation and
evolution of hurricane (Dunion and Velden, 2004; Wu et al., 2006).
1.2 Statement of Problems
Due to the importance of smoke and dust aerosols in climate, environment, air
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