چكيده لاتين
In recent years, the expansion of urbanization, concentration of industries, and increasing traffic volumes have turned air pollution into one of the major environmental challenges in metropolitan areas. This issue not only threatens urban public health but is also closely linked with phenomena such as urban heat islands. The city of Isfahan, as one of Iran’s main industrial hubs with high densities of industrial activities, transportation, and population, faces considerable levels of air pollutants and temperature variations.This study aims to investigate the spatial patterns of air pollution and analyze its relationship with urban heat islands using ground-based air quality monitoring data, Sentinel-5P and Landsat 8 and 9 satellite imagery, and spatial analysis tools within a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework. Four key pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and particulate matter—were analyzed.The results indicate that pollutant distribution across the city is spatially uneven, with the highest concentrations observed in central, northern, and northwestern areas, including districts 2, 8, 12, as well as 1, 3, 7, 9, and 11. Conversely, southern and southeastern districts such as 4, 5, 6, and 15 experience lower levels of air pollution. Modeling using both Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) methods revealed a positive and significant relationship between human-related factors—such as population density, building density, and road density—and pollutant concentrations. Furthermore, Land Surface Temperature (LST), as an indicator of urban heat island intensity, showed a direct correlation with pollutant levels. In contrast, natural indicators such as vegetation cover (NDVI), surface water presence (NDWI), and elevation exhibited negative and significant correlations with pollution levels. Temporal analysis of pollutant concentrations also demonstrated a noticeable reduction in NO₂ and CO levels during 2020, coinciding with mobility restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the findings highlight that concentrated human and industrial activities in specific zones have directly contributed to higher air pollution and intensified urban heat islands in Isfahan metropolis. Based on these results, it is recommended that urban management policies focus on enhancing environmental monitoring and controlling polluting industries in the northern and northwestern districts, alongside promoting green space development, particularly in densely built and industrial areas. Such an integrated approach can effectively reduce pollutant levels and mitigate urban heat island intensity.
