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An overview of satellite remote sensing technology used in China’s environmental protection

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Abstract

Satellite remote sensing technology has been widely used in environmental protection in China. Based on China’s environmental protection characteristics, this paper reviews the application advancements of optical, infrared, microwave and hyperspectral satellite remote sensing techniques in atmospheric environment, water environment and ecological environment, respectively, including the atmospheric environment monitoring of aerosols, particulate matter, pollution gases, and greenhouse gases; the water environment monitoring of water blooms water quality, oil spills, water pollution and drinking water safety; the ecological environment monitor of national nature reserves, environmental damages from mines development, soil contamination, urban/rural ecological environment and biodiversity richness. Furthmore, it summarizes the limitations and future directions of satellite remote sensing studies in China environmental protection. The paper specifically notes that the development of high-resolution satellite remote sensing technology, as well as the launch and use of China series satellites could significantly improve the level of government’s environmental management.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Major Projects of High Resolution Earth Observation Systems of National Science and Technology (E05-Y30B02-9001-13/15-1). We thank the editors and anonymous reviewers for the insightful suggestion during manuscript review process.

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Correspondence to Qiao Wang.

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Responsible editor: H. A. Babaie

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Zhao, S., Wang, Q., Li, Y. et al. An overview of satellite remote sensing technology used in China’s environmental protection. Earth Sci Inform 10, 137–148 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-017-0286-6

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