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The Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Pollutant Concentrations across China: A Google Earth Engine-Based Analysis

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  • Siyu Wang

    (School of Geographical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Geographical Processes and Ecological Security of Changbai Mountains, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China)

  • Haijiao Chu

    (School of Geographical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Geographical Processes and Ecological Security of Changbai Mountains, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China)

  • Changyu Gong

    (School of Geographical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Geographical Processes and Ecological Security of Changbai Mountains, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China)

  • Ping Wang

    (School of Geographical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Geographical Processes and Ecological Security of Changbai Mountains, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China)

  • Fei Wu

    (CenNavi Technologies Co., Ltd., Beijing 100094, China)

  • Chunhong Zhao

    (School of Geographical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Geographical Processes and Ecological Security of Changbai Mountains, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
    State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Beijing 100010, China)

Abstract

To overcome the spread of the severe COVID-19 outbreak, various lockdown measures have been taken worldwide. China imposed the strictest home-quarantine measures during the COVID-19 outbreak in the year 2020. This provides a valuable opportunity to study the impact of anthropogenic emission reductions on air quality. Based on the GEE platform and satellite imagery, this study analyzed the changes in the concentrations of NO 2 , O 3 , CO, and SO 2 in the same season (1 February–1 May) before and after the epidemic control (2019–2021) for 16 typical representative cities of China. The results showed that NO 2 concentrations significantly decreased by around 20–24% for different types of metropolises, whereas O 3 increased for most of the studied metropolises, including approximately 7% in megacities and other major cities. Additionally, the concentrations of CO and SO 2 showed no statistically significant changes during the study intervals. The study also indicated strong variations in air pollutants among different geographic regions. In addition to the methods in this study, it is essential to include the differences in meteorological impact factors in the study to identify future references for air pollution reduction measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Siyu Wang & Haijiao Chu & Changyu Gong & Ping Wang & Fei Wu & Chunhong Zhao, 2022. "The Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Pollutant Concentrations across China: A Google Earth Engine-Based Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:17056-:d:1007902
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yana Jin & Henrik Andersson & Shiqiu Zhang, 2016. "Air Pollution Control Policies in China: A Retrospective and Prospects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-22, December.
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