6.12.1 – Air Quality
6.12.2 – Inhalable Particles PM10
6.12.3 – Inhalable Particles PM2.5
6.12.4 – Ozone
6.12.5 – Carbon Monoxide
6.12.6 – Nitrogen Dioxide
6.12.7 – Sulfur Dioxide
6.12.8 – Optical Depth
Below, we will discuss each of the maps in detail.
6.12.1 – Air Quality
This map shows the expected air quality using the Air Quality Index, which is divided into five classes, visualized with colors as shown in the map legend. Lower values indicate better air quality, while an index greater than 100 (pink) indicates polluted air.
The Air Quality map (Nº1) illustrates the different Air Quality Index values using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.12.1A below illustrates how the Air Quality map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.12.1A – Air Quality Map
Hovering over the map will present the different Air Quality Index values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.12.2 – Inhalable Particles PM10
These maps show the expected concentration of particulate matter (PM10) with colors indicated in the map legend. The concentration is given in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). Atmospheric particulate matter is microscopic solid or liquid material suspended in the air.
The Inhalable Particles PM10 map (Nº1) illustrates the different expected concentrations of particulate matter using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.12.2A below illustrates how the Inhalable Particles PM10 map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.12.2A – Inhalable Particles PM10 Map
Hovering over the map will present the different PM10 particulate matter concentration values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.12.3 – Inhalable Particles PM2.5
These maps show the expected concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5) with colors indicated in the map legend. The concentration is given in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). Atmospheric particulate matter is microscopic solid or liquid material suspended in the air.
The Inhalable Particles PM2.5 map (Nº1) illustrates the different expected concentrations of particulate matter using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.12.3A below illustrates how the Inhalable Particles PM2.5 map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.12.3A – Inhalable Particles PM2.5 Map
Hovering over the map will present the different PM2.5 particulate matter concentration values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.12.4 – Ozone
This map shows the expected ozone concentration, expressed in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). It is displayed with colors specified in the legend. The combination of ozone concentration maps with wind animation, for example, can provide information on where ozone is being transported. Ground-level ozone is a harmful atmospheric pollutant for the respiratory tract and plants. In contrast, stratospheric ozone is important and protects organisms on Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
The Ozone Concentration map (Nº1) illustrates the different concentrations using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.12.4A below illustrates how the Ozone map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.12.4A – Ozone Map
Hovering over the map will present the different ozone concentration values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.12.5 – Carbon Monoxide
This map shows the expected concentration of CO (carbon monoxide) with colors indicated in the map legend. The concentration is given in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is slightly less dense than air. Carbon monoxide is present in small quantities in the atmosphere, mainly as a product of volcanic activity but also from natural and human-caused fires (such as forest and bushfires, crop residue burning, and sugarcane clearing).
The Carbon Monoxide map (Nº1) illustrates the different carbon monoxide concentrations using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.12.5A below illustrates how the Carbon Monoxide map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.12.5A – Carbon Monoxide Map
Hovering over the map will present the different carbon monoxide concentration values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.12.6 – Nitrogen Dioxide
This map shows the expected concentration of NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) with colors indicated in the map legend. Nitrogen dioxide is one of several nitrogen oxides. NO2 is introduced into the environment through natural causes, including stratospheric entry, bacterial respiration, volcanoes, and lightning.
The Nitrogen Dioxide map (Nº1) illustrates the different nitrogen dioxide concentrations using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.12.6A below illustrates how the map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.12.6A – Nitrogen Dioxide Map
Hovering over the map will present the different nitrogen dioxide concentration values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.12.7 – Sulfur Dioxide
This map shows the expected concentration of SO2 (sulfur dioxide) with colors indicated in the map legend. The concentration is given in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). Different altitudes can be chosen to display the SO2 concentration. Sulfur dioxide is an invisible gas with a strong, unpleasant odor. About 99% of the sulfur dioxide in the air comes from human sources. SO2 and other sulfur oxides can contribute to acid rain, which can harm sensitive ecosystems.
The Sulfur Dioxide map (Nº1) illustrates the different sulfur dioxide concentrations using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.12.7A below illustrates how the map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.12.7A – Sulfur Dioxide Map
If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº3), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº4) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº5), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.12.8 – Optical Depth
This map shows the expected total aerosol optical depth (dimensionless) with light of 550 nm wavelength. Aerosol optical depth describes the exponential attenuation of received solar radiation through the atmosphere by particles and is visualized with colors, as indicated in the map legend.
The Optical Depth map (Nº1) illustrates the different expected total aerosol optical depths using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.12.8A below illustrates how the map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.12.8A – Optical Depth Map
Hovering over the map will present the different expected total optical depth values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.