Air Quality Assessment by Daily Estimation of Ground-Level PM2.5 Concentrations over Baghdad City Using MODIS AOD Data

This study concentrates on evaluating the quality of air over Baghdad city by estimating the daily ground-level PM₂.₅ concentrations using MODIS Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) data from the Terra and Aqua satellites. Because of the scarcity of ground-based monitoring stations in Baghdad satellite data significantly enhances air pollution tracking. AOD measurements from 2022 have been Paired with Ground-level PM₂.₅ Concern concentrations collected from the US Embassy's air quality monitor. Multiple regression models (linear, quadratic, exponential) were applied to estimate PM₂.₅ concentrations, with the quadratic model proving to be the most accurate for most months. The results reveal that air quality in Baghdad frequently falls under the "Unhealthy" and "Very Unhealthy" categories, especially during the winter and early spring due to temperature inversions and open-air burning. In this study, the effectiveness of satellite data in complementing ground measurements is brought to the spotlight as well as emphasizing the necessity for public health interventions during periods of high pollution.