Global tropospheric ozone responses to reduced NO x emissions linked to the COVID-19 worldwide lockdowns.
Sci Adv
; 7(24)2021 06.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1343932
ABSTRACT
Efforts to stem the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to rapid, global ancillary reductions in air pollutant emissions. Here, we quantify the impact on tropospheric ozone using a multiconstituent chemical data assimilation system. Anthropogenic NO x emissions dropped by at least 15% globally and 18 to 25% regionally in April and May 2020, which decreased free tropospheric ozone by up to 5 parts per billion, consistent with independent satellite observations. The global total tropospheric ozone burden declined by 6TgO3 (â¼2%) in May and June 2020, largely due to emission reductions in Asia and the Americas that were amplified by regionally high ozone production efficiencies (up to 4 TgO3/TgN). Our results show that COVID-19 mitigation left a global atmospheric imprint that altered atmospheric oxidative capacity and climate radiative forcing, providing a test of the efficacy of NO x emissions controls for co-benefiting air quality and climate.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ozone
/
Atmosphere
/
Air Pollutants
/
Air Pollution
/
Environmental Exposure
/
COVID-19
/
Nitric Oxide
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Sciadv.abf7460
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS