The dirtiest air here

2002/12/10 Carton Virto, Eider - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Klima
• Ingurumena

Researchers have used data collected by NASA and ESA satellites to map air quality. The concentrations of three pollutants have been analyzed: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and aerosols. The results show that both southern and western Europe and eastern China are the most polluted regions. These regions are one of the most industrialized areas in the world.

Seasonal pollution

With the seasons the level of pollution varies. In eastern China, for example, the concentration of nitrogen dioxide increases in winter, while aerosols reach their highest concentration in summer. In the case of aerosols, these incidents come from industrial activity and the wind that comes from the Gobi desert.

Once in the atmosphere, pollution travels with air currents and reduces air quality in nearby areas. The study reveals that carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide extend from China to Japan and north of the Pacific.

NCAR researchers have released this study at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.