scholarly journals Reduction of Air Pollution in Poland in Spring 2020 during the Lockdown Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 3784
Author(s):  
Patryk Tadeusz Grzybowski ◽  
Krzysztof Mirosław Markowicz ◽  
Jan Paweł Musiał
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Number Density ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Tropospheric No2 ◽  
Clean Air ◽  
Column Number

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of human well-being including air quality. The present study aims at quantifying this effect by means of ground-level concentrations of NO2, PM2.5, as well as aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements and tropospheric NO2 column number density (NO2 TVCD), during the imposed governmental restrictions in spring 2020. The analyses were performed for both urban and non-built-up areas across the whole of Poland accompanied by Warsaw (urban site) and Strzyzow (a background site). The results revealed that mean PM2.5 concentrations in spring 2020 for urban and non-built-up areas across Poland and for Warsaw were 20%, 23%, 15% lower than the 10-year average, respectively. Analogous mean NO2 concentrations were lower by 20%, 18%, 30% and NO2 TVCD revealed 9%, 4%, 9% reductions in 2020 as compared to 2019. Regarding mean AOD, retrieved from MERRA-2 reanalysis, it was found that for the whole of Poland during spring 2020 the reduction in AOD as compared to the 10-year average was 15%. The contribution of the lockdown within total air pollution reduction is not easily assessable due to anomalous weather conditions in 2020 which resulted in advection of clean air masses identified from MERRA-2 reanalysis and Strzyzow observatory.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic related to lockdown measures on tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> columns over Île-de-France

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 18303-18317
Author(s):  
Andrea Pazmiño ◽  
Matthias Beekmann ◽  
Florence Goutail ◽  
Dmitry Ionov ◽  
Ariane Bazureau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Trend ◽  
Surface Concentration ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Tropospheric No2 ◽  
Surface Measurements ◽  
Uv Visible ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Suburban Site

Abstract. The evolution of NO2, considered as a proxy for air pollution, was analyzed to evaluate the impact of the first lockdown (17 March–10 May 2020) over the Île-de-France region (Paris and surroundings). Tropospheric NO2 columns measured by two UV-Visible Système d'Analyse par Observation Zénithale (SAOZ) spectrometers were analyzed to compare the evolution of NO2 between urban and suburban sites during the lockdown. The urban site is the observation platform QualAir (48∘50′ N / 2∘21′ E) at the Sorbonne University Pierre and Marie Curie Campus in the center of Paris. The suburban site is located at Guyancourt (48∘46′N / 2∘03′E), Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University, 24 km southwest of Paris. Tropospheric NO2 columns above Paris and Guyancourt have shown similar values during the whole lockdown period from March to May 2020. A decade of data sets were filtered to consider air masses at both sites with similar meteorological conditions. The median NO2 columns and the surface measurements of Airparif (Air Quality Observatory in Île de France) during the lockdown period in 2020 were compared to the extrapolated values estimated from a linear trend analysis for the 2011–2019 period at each station. Negative NO2 trends of −1.5 Pmolec. cm−2 yr−1 (∼ −6.3 % yr−1) are observed from the columns, and trends of −2.2 µg m−3 yr−1 (∼ −3.6 % yr−1) are observed from the surface concentration. The negative anomaly in tropospheric columns in 2020 attributed to the lockdown (and related emission reductions) was found to be 56 % at Paris and 46 % at Guyancourt, respectively. A similar anomaly was found in the data of surface concentrations, amounting to 53 % and 28 % at the urban and suburban sites, accordingly.

scholarly journals Is the Polish Smog a New Type of Smog?

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Czerwińska ◽  
Grzegorz Wielgosiński ◽  
Olga Szymańska
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Suspended Particulate Matter ◽  
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Common Factor ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Suspended Particulate ◽  
New Type ◽  
Sunny Weather

Abstract In recent years, every winter we face the problem of excessive air pollution in the cities in Poland. This phenomenon is usually called smog and is associated with the concept of acidic smog of London type. However, there is a fundamental difference between the Great Smog of London known from the literature and winter smog episodes in Poland. While in 1952 in London the smog occurred at low atmospheric pressure, in foggy and windless weather conditions, in Poland smog episodes occur most often at the influx of cold, high-pressure air masses from the east in sunny weather. There are also various harmful components of smog - in London it was dust (suspended particulate matter), sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, while in Poland it is suspended particulate matter and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, especially benzo(a)pyrene. A common factor is the inversion of temperature in the ground level of the atmosphere. The chemical composition of the “Polish smog” is analyzed in the study justifying the need to distinguish the two types of smog described.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 pandemic related to lockdown measures on tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> columns over Île-de-France

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Pazmiño ◽  
Matthias Beekmann ◽  
Florence Goutail ◽  
Dmitry Ionov ◽  
Ariane Bazureau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Trend ◽  
Surface Concentration ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
South West ◽  
Tropospheric No2 ◽  
Surface Measurements ◽  
Uv Visible ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Suburban Site

Abstract. The evolution of NO2, considered as proxy for air pollution, was analyzed to evaluate the impact of 1st lockdown (March 17th – May 10th 2020) over île-de-France region (Paris and surroundings). Tropospheric NO2 columns measured by two UV-Visible SAOZ spectrometers were analyzed to compare the evolution of NO2 between urban and suburban sites during the lockdown. The urban site is the observation platform QUALAIR (48°50' N/2°21' E) on the Pierre et Marie Curie Campus of Sorbonne University in the center of Paris. The suburban site is located at Guyancourt (48°46' N/2°03' E), University of Versailles Saint Quentin, 24 km south-west of Paris. Tropospheric NO2 columns above Paris and Guyancourt have shown similar values during the whole lockdown period from March to May 2020. One decade datasets were filtered to consider air masses at both sites with similar meteorological conditions. The median NO2 columns, as well as the surface measurements of AIPARIF (Air Quality Observatory in Ile de France) during the lockdown period in 2020 were compared to the extrapolated values estimated from a linear trend analysis for the 2011–2019 period at each station. Negative NO2 trends of −1.5 Pmolec cm−2 yr−1 (~−6.3 % yr−1) are observed from the columns and of −2.2 μg m−3 yr−1 (~−3.6 % yr−1) from the surface concentration. The negative anomaly in tropospheric columns in 2020 attributed to lockdown (and related emission reductions) was found to be 56 % at Paris and 46 % at Guyancourt, respectively. Similar anomaly was found in the data of surface concentrations, amounting for 53 % and 28 % at the urban and suburban sites, accordingly.

scholarly journals A Functional Data Analysis Approach for the Detection of Air Pollution Episodes and Outliers: A Case Study in Dublin, Ireland

Mathematics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Martínez Torres ◽  
Jorge Pastor Pérez ◽  
Joaquín Sancho Val ◽  
Aonghus McNabola ◽  
Miguel Martínez Comesaña ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Nitrogen Oxide ◽  
Functional Data ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Air Pollution Control ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Pollution Episodes

Ground level concentrations of nitrogen oxide (NOx) can act as an indicator of air quality in the urban environment. In cities with relatively good air quality, and where NOx concentrations rarely exceed legal limits, adverse health effects on the population may still occur. Therefore, detecting small deviations in air quality and deriving methods of controlling air pollution are challenging. This study presents different data analytical methods which can be used to monitor and effectively evaluate policies or measures to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions through the detection of pollution episodes and the removal of outliers. This method helps to identify the sources of pollution more effectively, and enhances the value of monitoring data and exceedances of limit values. It will detect outliers, changes and trend deviations in NO2 concentrations at ground level, and consists of four main steps: classical statistical description techniques, statistical process control techniques, functional analysis and a functional control process. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the outlier detection methodology proposed, it was applied to a complete one-year NO2 dataset for a sub-urban site in Dublin, Ireland in 2013. The findings demonstrate how the functional data approach improves the classical techniques for detecting outliers, and in addition, how this new methodology can facilitate a more thorough approach to defining effect air pollution control measures.

scholarly journals Performance evaluation of portable air quality measurement system using raspberry pi for remote monitoring

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Farhan Mohd Pu’ad ◽  
Teddy Surya Gunawan ◽  
Mira Kartiwi ◽  
Zuriati Janin
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Measurement System ◽  
Quality Measurement ◽  
Pollution Index ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Mobile Internet ◽  
Raspberry Pi

<span>United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals focuses on good health and well-being for all. Air pollution becomes a huge threat to delivering on the vision of a better world and related at least to Goal 3, 7, 11, and 13. In Malaysia, air pollution index were monitored on 68 locations. The Department of Environment monitors air quality using costly continuous air quality monitoring stations (CAQMs) installed at fixed locations of highly populated and industrial areas. The objective of this paper is to develop a portable air quality measurement system which can measure particulate matters (PM) smaller than 10 and 2.5 microns, and four hazardous gasses, including carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, ground level ozone and nitrogen dioxide, as well as humidity and temperature. Six sensors were used and validated using several rigorous experiments. The functionality of the system was evaluated by measuring sub-API readings in areas with low and high traffic volumes. Experimental results showed that the proposed system was highly responsive and able to detect the types and concentrations of air pollutants instantly. Furthermore, equipped with the mobile internet, geo-tagged GPS location and web server on Raspberry Pi, the developed portable system could be accessed remotely.</span>

scholarly journals Variations of ground-level O<sub>3</sub> and its precursors in Beijing in summertime between 2005 and 2011

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1019-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Zhang ◽  
B. Yuan ◽  
M. Shao ◽  
X. Wang ◽  
S. Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Ozone Production ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Large Contribution ◽  
Beijing City ◽  
Ground Level Ozone ◽  
Quality Controls ◽  
Ozone Precursors

Abstract. Increased levels of ground-level ozone (O3), reflecting the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere, are of increasing concern. High levels of total oxidants (Ox = O3 + NO2) have been persistently observed as a feature of Beijing's air pollution. Beijing is a typical global mega-city requiring the enforcement of stringent air quality controls as rapid economic growth continues. To evaluate the effect of air quality controls in recent years, ground-based on-line measurements at an urban site were conducted in summer and the variations in O3 with simultaneous changes in NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) between 2005 and 2011 were analyzed. Both NOx and anthropogenic VOCs in Beijing decreased over the study period, 1.4 ppbv yr−1 and 1.6 ppbv yr−1 respectively, the VOCs reactivity, in term of OH loss rate showed an indistinct statistical trend due to the large contribution from naturally emitted isoprene. Meanwhile, the daytime average O3 concentrations increased significantly at an annual rate 2.6 ppbv yr−1, around 5% yr−1 between 2005 and 2011. Considering the influence of NO titration effect and the increasing in regional background in the North China Plain (NCP), the main reason for such an increase in oxidants was local photochemistry. A simplified model was used to evaluate the effect of changes in the levels of ozone precursors on ozone production, we found that between 2001 and 2006, the production rate of total oxidants, P(Ox) increased rapidly due to increased VOC levels and decreasing of NO2, while from 2006 to2011, P(Ox) remained high though, decreased slightly as a~consequence of the decrease in both VOC reactivity (5% yr−1) and NOx (4% yr−1). Measurements have shown that the air pollution control efforts of Beijing city were effective in cutting ozone precursors, but even led to higher ground-level ozone. Therefore, putting ozone as the target for air quality, a faster reduction of VOCs, especially the reactive VOCs, will be needed to go together with NOx emission control programs.

scholarly journals Variations of ground-level O<sub>3</sub> and its precursors in Beijing in summertime between 2005 and 2011

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 6089-6101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Zhang ◽  
B. Yuan ◽  
M. Shao ◽  
X. Wang ◽  
S. Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Oxidative Capacity ◽  
Ozone Production ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Ground Level Ozone ◽  
Quality Controls ◽  
Ozone Precursors

Abstract. Elevated ground-level ozone (O3), reflecting atmospheric oxidative capacity, are of increasing concern. High levels of total oxidants (Ox= O3 + NO2) have been persistently observed as a feature of Beijing's air pollution. Beijing is a well-known megacity requiring the enforcement of stringent air quality controls as rapid economic growth continues. To evaluate the effect of air quality controls in recent years, ground-based on-line measurements at an urban site were conducted in summer and the variations in O3 with simultaneous changes in NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) between 2005 and 2011 were analyzed. Both NOx and total VOCs in Beijing decreased over the study period, 1.4 ppbv yr−1 and 1.6 ppbv yr−1, respectively. However, VOCs reactivity, in terms of OH loss rate, showed an indistinct statistical trend due to unsteady variations from naturally emitted isoprene, though some anthropogenic species showed decreasing trends, such as pentane, benzene and toluene. Meanwhile, daytime average O3 increased rapidly at an annual rate of 2.6 ppbv yr−1, around 5% yr−1 between 2005 and 2011. Considering the influence of NO titration effect and elevated regional ozone background in the North China Plain (NCP), the main reason for such an increase in oxidants was subject to "local" photochemistry. A simplified model was used to evaluate the effect of changes in the levels of ozone precursors on ozone production. We found that between 2001 and 2006, the production rate of total oxidants, P(Ox) increased rapidly due to increased VOC levels and decreasing NO2, while from 2006 to 2011 P(Ox) remained high, though decreased slightly as a consequence of the decrease in both VOC reactivity (−5% yr−1) and NOx (−4% yr−1). Observations have shown that Beijing's efforts to control air pollution were somehow effective in cutting ozone precursors, but still left higher ground-level ozone. We surmised that it resulted from potential contributions from OVOCs and regional transport near Beijing. Therefore, Beijing needs deeper cooperation with adjacent provinces to control ozone pollution together. To impel this kind of joint prevention and control program, ground-level ozone should become a mandatory index for air quality management, and a faster reduction of VOCs, especially reactive VOCs, in urban areas, should coordinate with national NOx emission control programs.

scholarly journals Heterogeneous Uptake of N2O5 in Sand Dust and Urban Aerosols Observed during the Dry Season in Beijing

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Men Xia ◽  
Weihao Wang ◽  
Zhe Wang ◽  
Jian Gao ◽  
Hong Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Storm Event ◽  
Uptake Coefficient ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Dinitrogen Pentoxide ◽  
Sand Storm ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
First Time ◽  
Aerosol Volume

The uptake of dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) on aerosols affects the nocturnal removal of NOx and particulate nitrate formation in the atmosphere. This study investigates N2O5 uptake processes using field observations from an urban site in Beijing during April–May 2017, a period characterized by dry weather conditions. For the first time, a very large N2O5 uptake rate (k(N2O5) up to ~0.01 s−1) was observed during a sand storm event, and the uptake coefficient (γ(N2O5)) was estimated to be 0.044. The γ(N2O5) in urban air masses was also determined and exhibited moderate correlation (r = 0.68) with aerosol volume to surface ratio (Va/Sa), but little relation to aerosol water, nitrate, and chloride, a finding that contrasts with previous results. Several commonly used parameterizations of γ(N2O5) underestimated the field-derived γ(N2O5). A new parameterization is suggested for dry conditions, which considers the effect of Va/Sa, temperature, and relative humidity.

Danger in the Air: Air Pollution and Cognitive Dysfunction

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 333-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Cipriani ◽  
Sabrina Danti ◽  
Cecilia Carlesi ◽  
Gemma Borin
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Scientific Databases ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Clean Air ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Pollution Exposure

Background: Clean air is considered to be a basic requirement for human health and well-being. Objective: To examine the relationship between cognitive performance and ambient pollution exposure. Methods: Studies were identified through a systematic search of online scientific databases, in addition to a manual search of the reference lists from the identified papers. Results: Air pollution is a multifaceted toxic chemical mixture capable of assaulting the central nervous system. Despite being a relatively new area of investigation, overall, there is mounting evidence implicating adverse effects of air pollution on cognitive function in both adults and children. Conclusions: Consistent evidence showed that exposure to air pollution, specifically exposure to particulate matter, caused poor age-related cognitive performance. Living in areas with high levels of air pollution has been linked to markers of neuroinflammation and neuropathology that are associated with neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease-like brain pathologies.

scholarly journals Subtle Changes or Dramatic Perceptions of Air Pollution in Sydney during COVID-19

Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Peter Brimblecombe ◽  
Yonghang Lai
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
New South ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Physical Reality ◽  
Social Perceptions ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Significant Difference

The COVID-19 pandemic made it critical to limit the spread of the disease by enforcing human isolation, restricting travel and reducing social activities. Dramatic improvements to air quality, especially NO2, have often characterised places under COVID-19 restrictions. Air pollution measurements in Sydney in April 2019 and during the lockdown period in April 2020 show reduced daily averaged NO2 concentrations: 8.52 ± 1.92 and 7.85 ± 2.92 ppb, though not significantly so (p1~0.15) and PM2.5 8.91 ± 4.94 and 7.95 ± 2.64 µg m−3, again a non-significant difference (p1~0.18). Satellite imagery suggests changes that parallel those at ground level, but the column densities averaged over space and time, in false-colour, are more dramatic. Changed human mobility could be traced in increasing times spent at home, assessed from Google Mobility Reports and mirrored in decreased traffic flow on a major road, suggesting compliance with the restrictions. Electricity demand for the State of New South Wales was low under lockdown in early April 2020, but it recovered rapidly. Analysis of the uses of search terms: bushfires, air quality, haze and air pollution using Google Trends showed strong links between bushfires and pollution-related terms. The smoke from bushfires in late 2019 may well have added to the general impression of improved air quality during lockdown, despite only modest changes in the ground level measurements. This gives hints that successful regulation of air quality requires maintaining a delicate balance between our social perceptions and the physical reality.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document