Air pollution drops in GCC
During the Covid-19 lockdown, the measures introduced to curb the spread of the virus have had different effects, in this instance, in the GCC it has reduced nitrogen dioxide levels and improved air quality.
The GCC countries have seen a drop in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration between 26 November, 2019 and 27 March, 2020, according to an image released by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), reported Emirates news agency WAM.
These drops in levels began in late-February coincides with precautionary measures such as lockdowns that were introduced by countries around the region to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
NO2, which is mainly produced through engines, power generation and other industrial processes, decreased a result of the lockdowns, which saw fewer vehicles on the roads and even fewer planes taking flights. The reduction has, in turn, improved air quality.
In March, NASA and the European Space Agency noticed a dramatic drop in NO2 emissions in China after its lockdown in February. They also saw similar decreases in air pollution over Norther Italy a few weeks later.
