Monitoring the impact of the Corona pandemic on nitrogen dioxide emissions at large scales via Google Earth Engine

Nuri Erkin Öçer; Dilek Küçük Matcı; Uğur Avdan

doi:10.3986/AGS.13454

Authors

Nuri Erkin Öçer Eskisehir Technical University, Earth and Space Sciences Institute, Eskisehir, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7404-7686
Dilek Küçük Matcı Eskisehir Technical University, Earth and Space Sciences Institute, Eskisehir, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4078-8782
Uğur Avdan Eskisehir Technical University, Earth and Space Sciences Institute, Eskisehir, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7873-9874

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS.13454

Keywords:

remote sensing, Earth observation, Sentinel-5P, tropospheric NO2, Google Earth Engine, Human Development Index

Abstract

Advances in Earth observation capabilities and the expanded accessibility of data provide the opportunity to monitor air pollution on a global scale. The Google Earth Engine (GEE) enables the efficient conduct of such large-scale research. This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on NO₂ emissions at various supranational scales, with particular consideration of the Human Development Index of the countries, using GEE. The findings for the first three months of 2020 indicating a reduction in emissions of more than 4% per month, demonstrate that not only were the restrictions and closures imposed by governments effective in the global decline of NO₂ levels, but also voluntary restrictions imposed by people on their own mobility with the motive of protection from the pandemic.

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