One consequence of the coronavirus pandemic has been global restrictions on mobility.
This, in turn, has had an effect on pollution levels in the atmosphere. Researchers from across the world are using this unique opportunity to take measurements, collect data, and publish studies. An international team led by Forschungszentrum Jülich's Institute of Climate and Energy Research – Troposphere has now published a comprehensive review providing an overview of results up to September 2020.
The study also has its own dedicated website, where additional measurement data can be added to supplement and refine existing research results At the same time, this collection of data allows scientifically substantiated predictions to be made about the pollution levels of future mobility scenarios.
The meta-analysis was coordinated by Prof. Astrid Kiendler-Scharr, director at Jülich's Institute of Climate and Energy Research – Troposphere. The analysis covers the measurement data of around 200 studies from the first seven months following the onset of the pandemic. It focuses on the following air pollutants: nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, ozone, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, black carbon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide.
Continue reading at Forschungszentrum Jülich's Institute of Climate and Energy Research
Image via Forschungszentrum Jülich's Institute of Climate and Energy Research
