Spatiotemporal Analysis of Urban Thermal Effects Caused by Heat Waves through Remote Sensing

David Hidalgo García (), Julián Arco Díaz, Adelaida Martín Martín and Emilio Gómez Cobos
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David Hidalgo García: Department of Architectural Graphic Expression, Technical Superior School of Building Engineering, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Julián Arco Díaz: Department of Architectural Graphic Expression, Technical Superior School of Building Engineering, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Adelaida Martín Martín: Department of Architectural Graphic Expression, Technical Superior School of Building Engineering, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Emilio Gómez Cobos: Department of Architectural Graphic Expression, Technical Superior School of Building Engineering, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-24

Abstract: In recent years there has been an increase in the number of extreme weather events that lead to higher mortality, such as heat waves. This study carries out a new investigation that integrates the environmental quality parameters—the Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) and the Terrestrial Surface Temperature (LST)—during these periods of high temperatures and compares them with normal periods. The study of the relationship between these variables will allow improving the quality of life through new mitigation measures that will minimize the effects of climate change in urban areas. This study analyzes eight cities in the south of Spain (Andalusia) to assess environmental quality through gases SO 2 , NO 2 , CO, O 3 and aerosols, obtained through Sentinel-5P satellite images, and the LST and SUHI obtained through Sentinel-3 images. Next, the results of periods of heat waves are compared with periods of normal environmental conditions during the summers of the years 2020 and 2021. The objective is to determine the possible impact of heat waves on environmental quality, as well as on the LST and SUHI of the investigated cities, which are located in an area identified as highly vulnerable to the effects of global warming. During the period of the heat wave and compared to the periods without a heat wave, a variety of environmental pollutants was found: SO 2 (+165%), NO 2 (+24%), CO (+8%), O 3 (−4%) and aerosols (+193%). Both the LST and the SUHI suffered an average increase of 2.8 K. The results of this document can help to establish pollutant reduction mechanisms in periods prior to heat waves. This could minimize major effects on the population and provide sustainable development.

Keywords: environmental pollution; surface urban heat island; land surface temperature; heat waves; sentinel 3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:19:p:12262-:d:926919

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