Which aspect of remote sensing is affected by haze and pollution?

Haze and pollution can significantly affect the resolution of images captured by remote sensing technologies. When haze or particulate matter is present in the atmosphere, it scatters and absorbs incoming electromagnetic radiation, which can blur the details and clarity of the images being collected. This atmospheric interference reduces the ability to distinguish fine features in the landscape, ultimately leading to poorer spatial resolution in the images.

High-resolution sensors rely on clear atmospheric conditions to capture detailed information about the Earth's surface. In the presence of haze or pollution, the effective resolution can decrease, making it challenging to accurately interpret features such as vegetation types, urban infrastructure, or geological formations. Thus, remote sensing data may appear to have reduced detail, impacting the assessment and analysis of the environment.