CAS Scientists Contribute to Beijing’s Blue Skies for 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Beijing, as the host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, has seen continuous blue skies greeting Olympic athletes last and this month. 

Air quality is regarded as an important factor for the events, which might affect the performance of athletes and cause possible health problems. 

To limit pollution and ensure good air quality during the Beijing 2022 Olympics and the ensuing Paralympics which opened on February 4 and March 13 separately, joint prevention and control of air pollution was conducted in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region and surrounding areas, including Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Inner Mongolia, and Liaoning provinces.

Prof. CHEN Liangfu from the State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science under the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), as an expert member of the air quality consultation group, led his research team to join the air quality guarantee campaign for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The research team has long been engaged in air quality monitoring and climate change study by satellite observations. 

Satellite-based monitoring could reliably reveal overall regional pollution situation and hourly/daily track transmission process of air pollution.

Satellite observations can also provide real-time data of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and polluting gases (e.g., NO² and SO²) over BTH and surrounding areas.

Satellite observations, combined with airborne samplings, and ground-based measurements formed a comprehensive and stereoscopic air quality monitoring network to facilitate a better understanding of the dynamic change process and source mechanism of various components in the atmosphere, as well as in understanding their influence on air quality.  

The air quality guarantee group provides fine air quality monitoring and forecasting information for environmental management departments to make efficient and feasible air pollution control measures．

According to the satellite monitoring results, a continuous good air quality was shown in Beijing and surrounding areas during the 2022 Winter Olympics. And a light pollution event occurred in the period of the 2022 Winter Paralympics. 

Satellite observation of fine particulate matter in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and surrounding areas. (Himawari-8 on Feb.9, 2022) (Image by AIR)

Satellite observation of nitrogen dioxide in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and surrounding areas. (Sentinel-5P on Feb. 9, 2022) (Image by AIR)