Using Sentinel-5 satellite technology to monitor atmospheric gas concentrations and their impact on human health

Department of Remote Sensing and GIS, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Lab. Of Seismology and Spatial Data Analysis, Baghdad, Iraq

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Abstract

Recently, remote sensing imagery has become a time-efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional monitoring techniques for providing data over large and remote areas. This paper evaluates the spatial distribution of gas concentrations (CO, SO₂ and O₃) in the atmosphere over Karbala Governorate using Sentinel-5P satellite images as the main data source. Sentinel-5P data for 24 September 2024 were obtained from the European Space Agency. ArcGIS 10.8 software was used to process the satellite data and extract the concentrations of CO, SO₂ and O3_.. Geospatial analyses were performed using demographic data and land surfaces temperature models and vegetation cover for this purpose. The main finding of the study is that CO levels increase in vital areas with high population density in vital areas with high population density such as central areas in the Governorate. High levels of SO2 gas concentrations were detected in various locations within the governorate. These locations were located within and around areas of power plants and factories that emit this gas. High levels of O₃ gas concentrations have been recorded in areas where primary gases are emitted, which interact to form this gas, often within industrial areas. The findings demonstrated that there is a significant positive correlation between data collected by ground devices and remote sensing platforms. The study concluded that increased gas emissions pose a significant risk to human health, particularly the increasing incidence of respiratory diseases. By analyzing the spatial distribution of respiratory disease cases in Karbala Governorate, it was found that there is a direct relationship between increased concentrations of these gases and the incidence of respiratory diseases in the governorate. The study aimed to highlight the importance and effectiveness of Sentinel satellite data in analyzing air pollution and assessing its impact on human health.