Characterization of the aerosol chemical composition during the COVID-19 lockdown period in Suzhou in the Yangtze River Delta, China.

ABSTRACT: To control the spread of COVID-19, rigorous restrictions have been implemented in China, resulting in a great reduction in pollutant emissions. In this study, we evaluated the air quality in the Yangtze River Delta during the COVID-19 lockdown period using satellite and ground-based data, including particle matter (PM), trace gases, water-soluble ions (WSIs) and black carbon (BC). We found that the impacts of lockdown policy on air quality cannot be accurately assessed using MODIS aerosol optical depth (AOD) data, whereas the tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) vertical column density can well reflect the influences of these restrictions on human activities. Compared to the pre-COVID period, the PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, carbon monoxide (CO), BC and WSIs

SUBMITTER: Wang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7508540 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature