Evaluating the Influence of Aerosol Optical Depth on Satellite-Derived Nighttime Light Radiance in Asian Megacities.
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| Title: | Evaluating the Influence of Aerosol Optical Depth on Satellite-Derived Nighttime Light Radiance in Asian Megacities. |
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| Authors: | Park, Hyeryeong1 (AUTHOR), Kim, Jaemin2 (AUTHOR), Lee, Yun Gon3 (AUTHOR) yglee2@cnu.ac.kr |
| Source: | Remote Sensing. Oct2025, Vol. 17 Issue 20, p3492. 19p. |
| Subjects: | Atmospheric aerosols, Radiance, Satellite-based remote sensing, Urbanization, Spatiotemporal processes, Aerosol analysis, Socioeconomic factors, Cities & towns |
| Geographic Terms: | Tokyo (Japan), Beijing (China) |
| Abstract: | Highlights: What are the main findings? East Asian cities exhibit a significant inverse relationship where nighttime artificial light (NTL) radiance decreases as aerosol optical depth (AOD) increases. The strength and nature of this NTL-AOD dependency vary considerably across cities, influenced by diverse urban development levels and regional atmospheric aerosol characteristics. What is the implication of the main finding? Accurate urban socio-economic monitoring using NTL data requires rigorous atmospheric correction to account for pronounced atmospheric effects from aerosols. Region-specific atmospheric correction models are essential for the reliable interpretation of NTL as an urbanization proxy. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) provides invaluable nighttime light (NTL) radiance data, widely employed for diverse applications including urban and socioeconomic studies. However, the inherent reliability of NTL data as a proxy for socioeconomic activities is significantly compromised by atmospheric conditions, particularly aerosols. This study analyzed the long-term spatiotemporal variations in NTL radiance with respect to atmospheric aerosol optical depth (AOD) in nine major Asian cities from January 2012 to May 2021. Our findings reveal a complex and heterogeneous interplay between NTL radiance and AOD, fundamentally influenced by a region's unique atmospheric characteristics and developmental stages. While major East Asian cities (e.g., Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul) exhibited a statistically significant inverse correlation, indicating aerosol-induced NTL suppression, other regions showed different patterns. For instance, the rapidly urbanizing city of Dhaka displayed a statistically significant positive correlation, suggesting a concurrent increase in NTL and AOD due to intensified urban activities. This highlights that the NTL-AOD relationship is not solely a physical phenomenon but is also shaped by independent socioeconomic processes. These results underscore the critical importance of comprehensively understanding these regional discrepancies for the reliable interpretation and effective reconstruction of NTL radiance data. By providing nuanced insights into how atmospheric aerosols influence NTL measurements in diverse urban settings, this research aims to enhance the utility and robustness of satellite-derived NTL data for effective socioeconomic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Abstract: | Highlights: What are the main findings? East Asian cities exhibit a significant inverse relationship where nighttime artificial light (NTL) radiance decreases as aerosol optical depth (AOD) increases. The strength and nature of this NTL-AOD dependency vary considerably across cities, influenced by diverse urban development levels and regional atmospheric aerosol characteristics. What is the implication of the main finding? Accurate urban socio-economic monitoring using NTL data requires rigorous atmospheric correction to account for pronounced atmospheric effects from aerosols. Region-specific atmospheric correction models are essential for the reliable interpretation of NTL as an urbanization proxy. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) provides invaluable nighttime light (NTL) radiance data, widely employed for diverse applications including urban and socioeconomic studies. However, the inherent reliability of NTL data as a proxy for socioeconomic activities is significantly compromised by atmospheric conditions, particularly aerosols. This study analyzed the long-term spatiotemporal variations in NTL radiance with respect to atmospheric aerosol optical depth (AOD) in nine major Asian cities from January 2012 to May 2021. Our findings reveal a complex and heterogeneous interplay between NTL radiance and AOD, fundamentally influenced by a region's unique atmospheric characteristics and developmental stages. While major East Asian cities (e.g., Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul) exhibited a statistically significant inverse correlation, indicating aerosol-induced NTL suppression, other regions showed different patterns. For instance, the rapidly urbanizing city of Dhaka displayed a statistically significant positive correlation, suggesting a concurrent increase in NTL and AOD due to intensified urban activities. This highlights that the NTL-AOD relationship is not solely a physical phenomenon but is also shaped by independent socioeconomic processes. These results underscore the critical importance of comprehensively understanding these regional discrepancies for the reliable interpretation and effective reconstruction of NTL radiance data. By providing nuanced insights into how atmospheric aerosols influence NTL measurements in diverse urban settings, this research aims to enhance the utility and robustness of satellite-derived NTL data for effective socioeconomic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 20724292 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/rs17203492 |
