Global tropospheric ozone responses to reduced NOx emissions linked to the COVID-19 worldwide lockdowns
Miyazaki, K.; Bowman, K.; Sekiya, T.; Takigawa, M.; Neu, J.L.; Sudo, K.; Osterman, G.; Eskes, H. (2021). Global tropospheric ozone responses to reduced NOx emissions linked to the COVID-19 worldwide lockdowns. Science Advances 7(24): eabf7460. https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abf7460
In: Science Advances. AAAS: New York. ISSN 2375-2548; e-ISSN 2375-2548, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Miyazaki, K.
- Bowman, K.
- Sekiya, T.
- Takigawa, M.
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- Neu, J.L.
- Sudo, K.
- Osterman, G.
- Eskes, H.
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| Abstract |
Efforts to stem the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to rapid, global ancillary reductions in air pollutant emissions. Here, we quantify the impact on tropospheric ozone using a multiconstituent chemical data assimilation system. Anthropogenic NOx emissions dropped by at least 15% globally and 18 to 25% regionally in April and May 2020, which decreased free tropospheric ozone by up to 5 parts per billion, consistent with independent satellite observations. The global total tropospheric ozone burden declined by 6TgO3 (∼2%) in May and June 2020, largely due to emission reductions in Asia and the Americas that were amplified by regionally high ozone production efficiencies (up to 4 TgO3/TgN). Our results show that COVID-19 mitigation left a global atmospheric imprint that altered atmospheric oxidative capacity and climate radiative forcing, providing a test of the efficacy of NOx emissions controls for co-benefiting air quality and climate. |
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