Lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic provide an unprecedented opportunity to examine the effects of License 4.0 (CC BY). human activity on air quality. The effects on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are of particular interest, as PM2.5 is the leading environmental risk factor for mortality globally. We map global PM2.5 concentrations for January to April 2020 with a focus on China, Europe, and North America using a combination of satellite data, simulation, and groundbased observations. We examine PM2.5 concentrations during lockdown periods in 2020 compared to the same periods in 2018 to 2019. We find changes in population-weighted mean PM2.5 concentrations during the lockdowns of −11 to −15 Mg/m3 across China, +1 to −2 Mg/m3 across Europe, and 0 to −2 Mg/m3 across North America. We explain these changes through a combination of meteorology and emission reductions, mostly due to transportation. This work demonstrates regional differences in the sensitivity of PM2.5 to emission sources.
The Authors, some Effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on fine particulate rights reserved; exclusive licensee matter concentrations American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to
Hammer, M.S., . van Donkelaar, R. Martin, E. McDuffie, O.U.S. Government, A. Lyapustin, A.M. Sayer, C. Hsu, R.C. Levy, M.J. Garay, O.V. Kalashnikova, and R.A. Kahn (2021), The Authors, some Effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on fine particulate rights reserved; exclusive licensee matter concentrations American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to, Hammer et al., Sci. Adv., 7, eabg7670.
Abstract
Research Program
Applied Sciences Program (ASP)
Atmospheric Composition Modeling and Analysis Program (ACMAP)
Mission
Terra-MISR
Terra-MODIS
Aqua-MODIS
AERONET
Open AQ
GEOS-Chem
Gridded Population of the World
Funding Sources
ACMAP, Terra Project, MISR Project