Satellite indicators of air quality changes over Russia due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions

Abstract

The analysis of the dust content (pm10) and NO2 in the atmosphere over Russia for January - May 2020 in comparison with previous years was carried out. Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service data archives are used as a source of information. It was found that the imposition of socio-economic restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the content of dust and nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere unevenly for different regions of the country. The state of atmospheric dust and NO2 content has improved due to the restrictions imposed in a number of regions of the Far East (apparently, also due to restrictions on the territory of neighboring China) and, to a lesser degree, in the center of the European part of Russia. The information obtained can be used to predict the development of the social and economic situation in the coming years and to plan preventive measures to overcome the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to develop proposals to overcome negative consequences for the environment, including measures to optimize territorial development, nature protection and consideration of ecosystem functions.

Evaluation of the Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Air Pollution in Russia’s Largest Cities

“…We studied the variations in air quality by using measurements taken by stationary monitoring stations and satellite observation [5,[17][18][19][20][21]. The effect of COVID-19 on air quality at the national level in Russia was not analyzed in detail [22][23][24]. This is the first study of the air conditions in Russia's largest cities during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”