Space-based monitoring of NO2 levels during COVID-19 lockdown in Cairo, Egypt and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT: The lockdown of COVID-19 pandemic has affected air quality due to the changes in human activities. Researchers worldwide observed reductions in NO2 concentrations due to lockdown and related diminished human activities, notably the reduced industrial and vehicular use. However, limited information was available for the MENA Region. In this study, the impact of lockdown due to COVID-19 on NO2 in two MENA major cities: Cairo, Egypt and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was assessed. NO2 column was retrieved from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on Aura for April 2017 to 2020. The monthly mean value of NO2 concentrations of April 2017–2019 was used as a baseline. NO2 concentration in April 2020 was compared to the baseline to assess the impact of lockdown on NO2. The results demonstrated that the loc

SUBMITTER: Abdelsattar A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7998056 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature