The Air Quality — Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) indicator shows the daily mean aerosol optical depth. AOD is a dimensionless measure of the total amount of aerosols in the atmospheric column between the surface and the top of atmosphere.
High AOD values indicate hazy air with high concentrations of suspended particles (dust, wildfire smoke, industrial pollutants, sea spray). AOD directly influences the amount of solar radiation reaching the surface: high values reduce direct radiation ("global dimming" effect), altering photosynthesis, ecosystem energy balance, vegetation phenological cycles, and soil thermal regulation.
Data come from the Open-Meteo Air Quality API (CAMS model). The variable used is aerosol_optical_depth (AOD at 550 nm). For each day, the average of hourly values is calculated.
| Code | Name | Provider | Type | Coverage | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WRD_OPNAQ_99 | Open-Meteo Air Quality API | Open-Meteo / CAMS | db | Global (Europe: 11 km) | From 2013 to present |
Daily average aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm. Open-Meteo variable: aerosol_optical_depth. Daily average of hourly values. Source: Open-Meteo Air Quality API (CAMS). Unit: dimensionless.