SATELLITE DATA SOURCE

GEOS-5

 GMAO

NASA

10 J/kg                                                                                                                                                                  5000 J/kg

SULFUR DIOXIDE (CO2)

SO2 is used as the indicator for the larger group of gaseous sulfur oxides (Sox)

The major part of SO2 emissions are from fossil fuel combustion at power plants and other industrial facilities. Also responsible for SO emissions are heavy equipment and vehicles - such as ships and locomotives.

Summarized:

     combustion of fossil fuels

•     oxidation of organic material in soils
•     volcanic eruptions
•     biomass burning

THREAT HEALTH

Exposure to SO2 harms the human respiratory system and make breathing difficult. Children, the elderly, and those who suffer from asthma are particularly sensitive to effects of SO2.

SOx reacts with other compounds in the atmosphere and form small particles. These particles contribute to particulate matter (PM) pollution: particles may penetrate deeply into sensitive parts of the lungs and cause additional health problems.

THREAT  TO ENVIRONMENT

• Sulphur dioxide reacts  with various airborne solid particles (aerosols).
• It is soluble in water and can be oxidised within airborne water droplets, producing sulphuric acid.
• This acidic pollution can be transported by wind over many hundreds of kilometres, and is deposited as acid rain.
• At high concentrations, gaseous SOx can harm trees and plants by damaging foliage and decreasing growth.  
• SO2 contributes to acid rain which can harm sensitive ecosystems.   

Mon 12/34/56 4:00

SULFUR DIOXIDE µG/M3 ON SURFACE LEVEL

0,00                           0,10                                                              0,50                1,00                                      25,00                   100,00        300,00     >500,00

NOMENCLATURE EARTH NULSCHOOL

Wind: Wind speed at specified height

Temp: temperature at specified height

RH: relative humidity at specified height

WPD:  Instantaneous Wind Power Density [measure of power available in the wind]

TPW: Total Precipitable Water [total amount of water in a column of air stretching from ground to space]

TCW: Total Cloud Water [total amount of water in clouds in a column of air from ground to space]

3HPA:  3-hour Precipitation Accumulation [amount of precipitation over the next three hours]

CAPE: Convective Available Potential Energy from Surface [indicates the buoyancy of air, a measure of atmospheric instability and predictor of severe weather]

MSLP: Mean Sea Level Pressure [air pressure reduced to sea level]

MI: Misery Index [perceived air temperature as combination of heat index and wind chill]

SST: Sea Surface Temperature [temperature of the ocean surface]

SSTA: Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly [difference in ocean temperature from daily average during years 1981-2011]

HTSGW:  Significant Wave Height [roughly equal to mean wave height as estimated by a "trained observer"]

Cosc: Carbon Monoxide Surface Concentration [the fraction of carbon monoxide present in air at the earth's surface]

CO2sc: Carbon Dioxide Surface Concentration [the fraction of carbon dioxide present in air at the earth's surface]

SO2sm:  Sulfur Dioxide Surface Mass [amount of sulfur dioxide in the air near the earth's surface]

DUex  Dust Extinction [the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) of light at 550 nm due to dust]

SO4ex; Sulfate Extinction [the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) of light at 550 nm due to sulfate]

PM1: Particulate Matter < 1 µm [mass of atmospheric particles with a diameter less than 1 micron]

PM2.5 Particulate Matter < 2.5 µm [mass of atmospheric particles with a diameter less than 2.5 microns]

PM10: Particulate Matter < 10 µm [mass of atmospheric particles with a diameter less than 10 microns]