Max P. Bleiweiss
Papers
6
Total Citations
431
H-Index
6
About
Max P. Bleiweiss is a leading figure in satellite-based aerosol remote sensing, whose work has fundamentally advanced our ability to monitor air quality across complex and urbanized landscapes. His research centers on developing and refining algorithms to retrieve Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD)—a critical measure of particulate pollution—from spaceborne sensors like MODIS and Landsat. Bleiweiss’s most influential contribution is the Simplified High Resolution MODIS Aerosol Retrieval Algorithm (SARA), detailed in his highly cited 2013 paper (176 citations), which enables accurate AOD retrieval over mixed and bright surfaces where traditional methods fail. He further extended this capability through the SEMARA approach, integrating surface reflectance estimation for ultra-high-resolution 30-meter retrievals over urban areas. His work has had profound global impact, evidenced by a landmark 2021 study (141 citations) that characterized and ranked extreme air pollution across Pakistan, providing a critical baseline for public health and policy. Bleiweiss also pioneered the AEROSA framework for generic aerosol classification and critically evaluated MODIS retrieval uncertainties during the COVID-19 lockdown, revealing how emission changes challenge satellite algorithms. Through these innovations, he has equipped the atmospheric science community with robust tools to map pollution at unprecedented scales.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6