Satellite observations for monitoring atmospheric NO2 in correlation with the existing pollution sources under arid environment

Abstract

Monitoring of air pollutants using satellite data has been largely improved over the past few decades, which can provide deeper insights into the effects of anthropogenic activities on the air quality. The observations and measurements of atmospheric NO 2 are poorly investigated in North Africa, therefore, the current study applied a multi-proxy approach to better understand of the ambient environment. This approach is based on satellite observations, chemical and biological analyses, and investigative information during fieldworks. The Aura satellite provides the basic data for the current study with fine resolution of atmospheric NO 2 and O 3 concentrations. The obtained results reveal noticeable increases of atmospheric NO 2 values since the 2011, where its emission reaches the peak during summer season that is characterized by high anthropogenic activities. The study area has many sources for NO 2 emissions, such as the urban region, traffic, as well as the NH 3 emission that is in turn converted to NO 2. Although the discharged and spreading wastewater (80,000 m 3 /day in summer) has a limited role in NO 2 emissions, it represents an indicator of the anthropogenic activities. The wastewater analyses confirm the occurrence of nitrate (NO 3 − ), nitrite (NO 2 − ), and ammonia (NH 4 + ), which provide an appropriate condition for NO 2 release. The analyses of multi-climate datasets (previous records and the expected scenarios) reveal an increase of temperature accompanied by decrease of precipitation which confirmed the existence of climate change. Therefore, the study presents a set of suggestions to mitigate the release of NOx gases and achieve Net-Zero emissions.

Effect of different plant communities on NO2 in an urban road greenbelt in Nanjing, China

“…This may be related to human activity and NO 2 emissions in the streets 28 . Study has shown that NO 2 emissions generally peak in the summer 29 .…”

Using Nighttime Lights Data to Assess the Resumption of Religious and Socioeconomic Activities Post-COVID-19

“…The ESA WorldCover 2020 product (https://worldcover2020.esa.int/downloader), accessed on 25 September 2021, has recently been utilized in studies such as those by Ekim et al [45]; Salama et al [47] and Tavus et al [48]. The product was based on Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite data acquired in 2020 and derived 11 generic land-cover classes at a 10 m spatial resolution, with an overall accuracy of 74% at the global level and 81% at the Asia level [49].…”

Water-Catalyzed Formation of Reactive Oxygen Species from NO2 on a Weakly Hydrated Calcite Surface

“…Thus, in addition to interest in developing denitrification technologies to decrease NO x emissions, 27 an appropriate understanding and inclusion of NO x chemistry in large-scale weather, air quality and climate models are necessary to alleviate discrepancies between observations and predictions, especially regarding ROS concentrations in the atmosphere. 10,16 Indeed, nitrogen-based ROS have been detected by satellites in NO 2 -polluted and arid areas 28 and by the results of NO 2 chemistry related to biogenic volatile compounds. 29 NO 2 chemistry has also recently been used to explain haze formation in highly polluted areas.…”

“…The chemistry of NO 2 is a key factor in controlling the oxidizing power of the atmosphere. Thus, in addition to interest in developing denitrification technologies to decrease NO x emissions, an appropriate understanding and inclusion of NO x chemistry in large-scale weather, air quality and climate models are necessary to alleviate discrepancies between observations and predictions, especially regarding ROS concentrations in the atmosphere. , Indeed, nitrogen-based ROS have been detected by satellites in NO 2 -polluted and arid areas and by the results of NO 2 chemistry related to biogenic volatile compounds . NO 2 chemistry has also recently been used to explain haze formation in highly polluted areas. , In the specific case of NO 2 chemistry, our group has recently suggested a novel chemical pathway by which NO 2 can be adsorbed on a poorly hydrated silica surface and chemically converted into ROS (HONO and OH radicals) without any NO 2 dimerization (i.e., ).…”