Investigations of innovative algorithms for quantitative high temperature event (fires, volcano eruptions, etc.) emission analysis applying infrared spectrum and image data fusion

Abstract

High Temperature Events (HTEs) like vegetation fires, peat/coal seam burning, and active volcanoes emit large quantities of radiative active gases and aerosols into the atmosphere. Quantification of these is required to determine their influence on atmospheric processes. For this purpose a sensor/data fusion technique has been developed to investigate HTEs from space. It combines high spatial, low spectral resolution infrared image and high spectral, low spatial resolution spectrometer data in order to derive parameters such as: HTE type and area, plume gas concentration and temperature, total plume gas contents, etc.. Simulations of the method rendered promising results. Currently there is no dedicated sensor system in space. Application to AIRS/MODIS data of Portugal 2003 fires have confirmed the need for high spectral resolution The superior spectral resolution of IASI encourages to investigate the IASI/AVHRR combination.