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Factors related to fog and air quality in the Aburrá Valley - Coggle…
Factors related to fog and air quality in the Aburrá Valley
MAIN IDEAS
The presence of fog or low visibility does not always mean air pollution.
The phenomenon depends on complex atmospheric processes.
It is essential to measure and interpret air composition properly.
Research led by the Laser and Optic Spectroscopy Group (GLEO), UNAL Medellín.
CAUSES OF MISINTERPRETATION
Limited monitoring:
Current air quality monitoring focuses only on PM2.5 and PM10 at ground level.
This approach is insufficient to understand the entire atmosphere.
Global atmospheric influence:
Humidity, air currents, and Saharan dust affect local air density and visibility.
Lack of vertical analysis:
Studies must include aerosol evolution, transport, and optical/chemical behavior at different altitudes.
Visual confusion:
People often associate fog or mist with pollution.
Not every dense or gray sky means poor air quality.
MONITORING AND RESEARCH
Since 2009, GLEO has carried out research with doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate projects.
Key variables analyzed:
Planetary boundary layer.
Optical depth.
Ångström exponent.
Water vapor.
Particle-size distribution.
Aerosol back trajectories.
Satellite records (MERIS) confirm aerosol transport from the Atlantic Ocean and the Sahara.
CONSEQUENCES AND IMPORTANCE
Scientific:
Helps differentiate between local and global sources of air pollution.
Health:
Identifies the true origins of PM2.5, avoiding unnecessary alerts.
Policy:
Shows that drastic measures (like 24-hour vehicle restrictions) don’t always improve air quality.
Social:
Promotes citizen awareness to “read” the atmosphere:
Yellow or brown hues → pollution.
White or gray tones → fog or humidity.
CONCLUSION
Fog in Medellín does not necessarily mean pollution.
A scientific and multidimensional reading of the atmosphere is essential.
Continuous and comprehensive monitoring allows accurate environmental decisions.