A ground-based lidar system capable of determining the range of aerosols and clouds continuously was set up and operated at National Central University in Jhongli City, Taoyuan County, in accordance with the agreement. Lidar is a similar sensory technology to radar, except it uses lasers instead of radio waves. The lidar system at NCU was one of the 26 stations worldwide that comprised the NASA Micro-Pulse Lidar Network, helping to study the vertical distribution of seasonal Asian continental pollution and dust, the EPA stated Sept. 10.
While more than 70 EPA air-pollution stations could detect air pollution on the surface, the lidar system identifies the vertical structure of dust, aerosol and cloud layers, the agency explained. For example, this type of measurement helps predict the influence of sandstorms, exacerbated by deforestation in China, on higher grounds or mountains in Taiwan, according to the EPA.
Observations and data from lidar systems at key sites around the world, combined with information from sites of the NASA Aerosol Robotic Network, are used to validate and interpret results from NASA satellite sensors, as well as to calibrate space-based lidars. These long-term observations are a high priority in the preparation of the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, according to the MPLNET project.
Destruction of nature and rapid economic development in Asia, specifically in China, has caused environmental problems going beyond national borders, and this cooperation would strengthen capabilities in monitoring pollutants, a high-ranking official was quoted as saying in the Chinese-language Liberty Times Sept. 9.
Under the framework provided by the agreement, NASA will assist Taiwan in training and education programs to help coordinate international efforts, the report said.
Write to Amber Wu at amber0207@mail.gio.gov.tw