The spatial and temporal distribution of aerosol optical depths in China

China’s economy is rapidly growing, and it is suspected that this has caused an increase in aerosols among East Asian countries. Every early spring, dust storms containing mass amounts of aerosols occur in China and move eastward, eventually reaching Korea, Japan, and even the western region of North America. Aerosols are a complex mixture of organic and inorganic chemicals that can be classified as air pollutants. They can affect human health seriously. They may cause lower respiratory symptoms, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lowering lung function, and even decreasing life expectancy. Most aerosols in China are generated by anthropogenic activities including industrialization and urbanization in the east and southeast region and desertification in the Gobi desert caused by land overuse and increase in population. Monitoring the spatial and temporal distribution of aerosols is essential for predicting future trend and setting suitable policies for regulating further increase of aerosols. In this study, mean monthly aerosol optical depth was measured (from March 2000 to September 2005) using MISR (Multi-angle SpectroRadiometer) in order to observe aerosol distribution in China