Earth Matters

Airborne Nitrogen Dioxide Decreases Over Italy

March 13th, 2020 by Kasha Patel

In February, we showed a drop in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels over China as a result of the coronavirus quarantine. New data from the European Space Agency (ESA) now show drops in NO2 concentrations over Italy due to that country’s nationwide lockdown. The change is particularly evident in the Pro Valley of northern Italy.

The video above shows NO2 levels across Europe from January 1 to March 11, 2020. These data come from ESA’s Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) onboard the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite. NO2 is a noxious gas emitted by motor vehicles, power plants, and industrial facilities.

ESA stated: “Although there could be slight variations in the data due to cloud cover and changing weather, we are very confident that the reduction in emissions that we can see coincides with the lockdown in Italy causing less traffic and industrial activities.”

Read more here

For more information on NASA’s long-term measurements of nitrogen dioxide, please see this page.

7 Responses to “Airborne Nitrogen Dioxide Decreases Over Italy”

  1. James A. Spruyt says:

    Is their a website to monitor the Nitrogen Dioxide levels over mainland China? I would like to monitor the pollution to gauge the amount of economic activity.

  2. Martin says:

    I would also like to know if there a website to monitor the Nitrogen Dioxide levels across the globe?

  3. Joe Araujo Apolo says:

    Hello, Can you help with information about Ecuador Airborne Nitrogen Dioxide?

  4. K. McIntosh says:

    This report and similar articles you’ve published, are very interesting and extremely uplifting at a time like this. Thank you.

  5. Adil Kaibaliev says:

    Dear NASA!
    Thank you for your work and for the contribution you are doing for the development of the world.

    With regards, Adil Kaibaliev.

  6. Domenica Melissa says:

    HOLA QUERIDA NASA
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