Space observation on detoxing the unhealthy air quality during COVID-19 pandemic in India

TL;DR

This study uses space-based data to analyze the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on air quality in India, showing significant reductions in pollutants like NO2 and aerosols during the lockdown period.

Contribution

It uniquely combines satellite data from NASA, ESA, and ISRO to quantify air quality improvements during COVID-19 lockdowns in India.

Findings

NO2 emissions reduced by 40-50% during lockdown

Aerosol optical depth decreased significantly

Air quality improved compared to previous years

Abstract

The purpose of this study has extremely dedicated to exposing the correlation between coronavirus pandemic and space observation on unhealthy air quality in India. The world has undergone lockdown to break the chain of coronavirus infection. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has started to improve after the commencement of lockdown due to industrial and transportation sectors temporally closed. This study compiled the data recently released by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), ESA (European Space Agency), and ISRO (Indian Space and Research Organization). In this paper, we have discussed the space observation on Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), PM2.5, and PM10 influenced the air quality across the various region of India. We analyzed the detoxing of air quality before and during the lockdown period over the same time the frame of current and the previous year. The result has shown a positive impact on the detoxing of unhealthy air quality during lockdown stated as the emission of NO2 has reduced to 40% - 50% and optical level of aerosol indexed at low compared to the last 20 years in northern India.