Evaluación de productos de detección remota para la estimación de radiación solar ultravioleta sobre la región sur del Ecuador

Abstract

Ultraviolet radiation plays a crucial role in the atmosphere, with both beneficial and harmful effects on human health and the environment. This study analyzes two satellite products used to estimate solar UV radiation: TROPOMI and OMI, focusing on the provinces of Cañar, Azuay, Morona Santiago, and Loja during 2023. The main objective is to compare UV radiation estimates derived from these instruments and validate them against data from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of Ecuador (INAMHI), considering variables such as cloud cover, topography, and the altitude of the ozone layer. The methodology included downloading and converting data to the UV index, geoprocessing, and comparative analysis. Data accessibility was evaluated, finding that OMI is more accessible and easier to handle. The results showed that OMI reports higher UV indices than TROPOMI and INAMHI. After correcting the images for topography, a direct correlation between altitude and UV indices was identified, with a better correlation in OMI data. Additionally, the analysis of cloud cover and the altitude of the ozone layer demonstrated a reduction in UV radiation. Compared with INAMHI data, the study concludes that satellite data require ground validation and emphasizes the importance of integrating both sources for accurate monitoring of UV radiation, highlighting this as the study's main finding.