Unveiling urban air quality dynamics during COVID-19: a Sentinel-5P TROPOMI hotspot analysis

In India, the spatial coverage of air pollution data is not homogeneous due to the regionally restricted number of monitoring stations. In a such situation, utilising satellite data might greatly influence choices aimed at enhancing the environment. It is essential to estimate significant air contaminants, comprehend their health impacts, and anticipate air quality to safeguard public health from dangerous pollutants. The current study intends to investigate the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of important air pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone, utilising Sentinel-5P TROPOMI satellite images. A comprehensive spatiotemporal analysis of air quality was conducted for the entire country with a special focus on five metro cities from 2019 to 2022, encompassing the pre-COVID-19, during-COVID-19, and current scenarios. Seasonal research revealed that air pollutant concentrations are highest in the winter, followed by the summer and monsoon, with the exception of ozone. Ozone had the greatest concentrations throughout the summer season. The analysis has revealed that NO₂ hotspots are predominantly located in megacities, while SO₂ hotspots are associated with industrial clusters. Delhi exhibits high levels of NO₂ pollution, while Kolkata is highly affected by SO₂ pollution compared to other major cities. Notably, there was an 11% increase in SO₂ concentrations in Kolkata and a 20% increase in NO₂ concentrations in Delhi from 2019 to 2022. The COVID-19 lockdown saw significant drops in NO₂ concentrations in 2020; specifically, - 20% in Mumbai, - 18% in Delhi, - 14% in Kolkata, - 12% in Chennai, and - 15% in Hyderabad. This study provides valuable insights into the seasonal, monthly, and yearly behaviour of pollutants and offers a novel approach for hotspot analysis, aiding in the identification of major air pollution sources. The results offer valuable insights for developing effective strategies to tackle air pollution, safeguard public health, and improve the overall environmental quality in India. The study underscores the importance of satellite data analysis and presents a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the shutdown on air quality, laying the groundwork for evidence-based decision-making and long-term pollution mitigation efforts.