Economic crisis detected from space: Air quality observations over Athens/Greece

Using both satellite observations of tropospheric NO2 columns and a number of economic metrics, we investigate the impact of the economic crisis (from 2008 onward) on air quality over Greece, and Athens in particular. The multiannual analysis shows that NO2 columns over Athens have been significantl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical research letters 2013-01, Vol.40 (2), p.458-463
Main Authors: Vrekoussis, M., Richter, A., Hilboll, A., Burrows, J. P., Gerasopoulos, E., Lelieveld, J., Barrie, L., Zerefos, C., Mihalopoulos, N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air pollution
Air quality
Columns (structural)
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Economic crisis
economic recession
Economics
Exact sciences and technology
Impact analysis
in situ measurements
Mixing ratio
Nitrogen dioxide
Outdoor air quality
Ozone
Pollutants
pollution
Pollution levels
Regression analysis
Satellite observation
satellite observations
Sulfur dioxide
Titration
trace gases
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Summary:Using both satellite observations of tropospheric NO2 columns and a number of economic metrics, we investigate the impact of the economic crisis (from 2008 onward) on air quality over Greece, and Athens in particular. The multiannual analysis shows that NO2 columns over Athens have been significantly reduced in the range 30–40%. This decline is further supported by surface measurements of atmospheric NO2 mixing ratios. Additionally, the declining local concentrations of NO, CO, and SO2 are associated with an increase in ozone due to reduced titration by NO. In particular, regression analysis revealed that the reduction of NO2 (0.3 ± 0.2 ppbv y−1) and SO2 (0.2 ± 0.1 ppbv y−1) during the period 2000–2007, significantly accelerated during the economic crisis period (from 2008 onward), reaching 2.3 ± 0.2 ppbv y−1 and 0.7 ± 0.1 ppbv y−1, respectively. The strong correlations between pollutant concentrations and economic indicators show that the economic recession has resulted in proportionally lower levels of pollutants in large parts of Greece. Key Points Impact of economic recession in air quality Significantly accelerated annual reduction in local emissions Strong correlation between satellite, in‐situ observations and economic metrics
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1002/grl.50118