github: https://github.com/gft109/dust_tracker_rep

The Dust Tracker Project: Tracking and Mitigating Dust Clouds impact in Northern Africa

The Dust Tracker Project is a system designed to utilize reflection and composition data from the EMIT mission in the northern region of Africa. Its primary goal is to identify the existence and composition of dust clouds in the area, particularly when they pose a threat to the indigenous tribes living there.

Dust clouds are natural phenomena in arid regions, but their occurrence has been significantly affected by the global changes in climate patterns. Over recent years, the frequency and intensity of dust cloud events in arid regions, such as northern Africa, have increased as a direct result of climate change. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns have contributed to the expansion of arid areas, exacerbating the issue.

As climate change continues to unfold, the problem of dust clouds has become more pronounced, posing a growing threat to the indigenous tribes in these regions. Our team, Dust Trackers, recognizes the critical link between climate change and dust cloud events and seeks to address the associated risks and challenges faced by the affected communities, since these suffer with impacts that range from water contamination (which is already scarce) to adverse effects on respiratory health.

We hope to achieve this by providing timely information and proactive measures, aiming to enhance the resilience of these communities in the face of evolving environmental conditions.

How does it work?

The Dust Tracker Project processes and analyzes data collected from the EMIT mission, through Python-based data filtering and treatment techniques, to identify dust clouds in the northern African region. It uses advanced algorithms and data processing techniques to detect the presence of dust clouds and assess their composition. The system presents information on the dangers of dust clouds on its website and provides it through an interactive map. This map displays the locations of villages, the occurrence of events within the areas of interest (immediate área around the villages), and the composition of these clouds. In future versions, the system will include the functionality of direct notifications, alerting relevant organizations such as the United Nations (UN) about the events.

Tools and coding languages:

To the data analysis process, a python (version 3.11.3) algorithm was used. Firstly, the code will connect with our earthaccess account using our credentials, so we can download the EMIT data. Since we’re looking for the spectrometry generated, it was used the data collected with the EMIT_L2A, and for this demonstration the area should contemplate the latitude 36.817 and longitude 4.300, so the dataset used will take the information of this landscape:

With the EMIT file downloaded, the next step is to transform the data to analyze its content. To accomplish this goal, it was used the function emit_xarray from the NASA module emit_tools.py. Using this technique, the file content was turned into a xarray making it possible to visualize and work with the data.

The next step of the project is to analyze and understand the spectrometry of the local, so it was used the hvplot library to create an image showing what are the results of the spectrometry in the coordinates of the village:

Now, understanding the reflectance for each wavelength, it is necessary to analyze how the minerals that are being studied reflect in the same conditions. For this, research was conducted using as base the official EMIT L2B documentation PDF where we found that the best wavelength to differentiate each one of the minerals would be around 2100 nm.

Having all this knowledge, the goal is to apply the spectrometry in the gathered area and show where on earth it is located. For this it was made another hvplot, showing the reflectance with a 2100 nm wavelength.

Lastly, the selected area was isolated in a hvplot containing only them, and was added an interactive function that shows the reflectance level on the spot where the mouse is.

Benefits:

Our project aims to provide a range of essential benefits to the community and relevant organizations. Firstly, we prioritize raising community awareness by delivering timely information about the risks associated with dust clouds, empowering residents to take proactive measures to protect their health and resources. Secondly, we serve as an early warning system, detecting dust cloud events in their early stages to minimize their impact on vital resources and respiratory health. Thirdly, we actively engage with relevant organizations, sharing critical information about the presence of dust cloud events to enable swift responses and necessary interventions for the benefit of indigenous tribes. Finally, our geospatial monitoring capabilities track the activity of dust cloud events within a 50km radius of identified villages, providing valuable localized insights for targeted responses and resource allocation. Together, these advantages contribute to our overarching goal of enhancing the well-being and resilience of northern African indigenous tribes in the face of dust cloud events.

Our objective:

The Dust Tracker Project is driven by a set of core objectives aimed at improving the lives of indigenous tribes in northern Africa. Our foremost goal is to enhance safety and well-being by providing timely information about dust cloud events, enabling communities to take proactive measures. Concurrently, we prioritize public health, working to reduce the adverse health effects caused by dust clouds, especially on respiratory health and water sources. Additionally, we are committed to fostering community resilience by empowering local communities with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively mitigate the impact of dust cloud events. In pursuing these objectives, we aim to make a positive impact on these communities' lives while recognizing and addressing the challenges presented by climate change.

2023 NASA Space Apps Challenge

Dust Tracker