Geographia Technica, Vol 19, Issue 2, 2024, pp. 70-77
IMPACT OF COVID-19 CONFINEMENT ON NO2 EMISSIONS IN MEXICO: TEMPORAL ANALYSIS AND OUTLOOK FOR AIR QUALITY
Baltazar SÁNCHEZ-DÍAZ 
ABSTRACT: The decreases and increases in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations in Mexico during the periods are mainly due to changes in human activities and not only due to factors such as traffic and weather conditions. The confinement imposed by the pandemic has produced positive effects, such as the reduction of polluting emissions, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The pandemic offered a glimpse into how human activities impact air quality. To investigate the changes in the spatial concentration of NO2 in Mexico during the COVID-19 confinement and the subsequent period, comparing the months of April 2019 and 2020, as well as April 2023. The Sentinel-5P TROPOMI sensor was used to obtain images of NO2. They were processed with SNAP software for Geometric Re-projections and ArcGIS 10.2 for change detection. During the confinement in Mexico in April 2020, NO2 concentrations decreased by 21.45% compared to April 2019. However, in April 2023, concentrations increased by 14.48% compared to 2020. The findings support that the Confinement measures temporarily reduced NO2 levels in Mexico. Similar patterns were observed globally. However, once normal activities resumed, NO2 emissions increased. Lockdown restrictions produced a temporary decrease in NO2 pollution in Mexico, but when the measures were lifted, emissions increased again. More rigorous policies are needed to maintain air quality. Continuous use of Sentinel-5P can help monitor and control air pollution in the country. In addition, the implementation of sustainable practices is suggested to reduce polluting emissions and promote a more resilient and sustainable society
Keywords: Air pollution, Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), COVID-19 pandemic, Sentinel-5P TROPOMI, Climate change
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