Studying the Effect of Anthropogenic Activities on the Presence of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) through Remote Sensing and Ground Based Observations over Emirate of Fujairah, UAE

Authors: Reem Yaqoub Yousif Ahmed Abdalla, Aseela Al Moalla, Mohamed Ateeg, Marwa Hossny, Shaher Bano Mirza and Fouad Lamghari Ridouane.

Study area in the Emirate of Fujairah, UAE, used to analyze the impact of anthropogenic activities on nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels using remote sensing and ground-based observations.

Abstract:  Air pollution is one of the biggest problems of this age, not only it contributes to climate change but also it has a negative effect on public and  individual health due to rising morbidity and mortality. There are various contaminants  that  play  a  significant role  in human  disease. Numerous  toxins are  released  into the environment  as  a  result  of  anthropogenic  activities  including  burning  fossil  fuels  for  transportation  and electricity  generation.  In  order  to  assist  decision-makers  in  finding  a  long-term  solution  for  improving environmental quality and population health status, NO2 pollution monitoring and regulation is an essential task. moreover, efforts  to  reduce  NO2 emissions are important  for  improving air quality and public  health. Based on data acquired from Sentinel-5P, the study presented a comparison of NO2 measurements in Sentinel-5P and  ground-based  stations  over  the  urban  area  of  Fujairah  during 2021  and comparison  analysis  of  the tropospheric NO2 column spatial configuration over urban area of Fujairah during comparable periods of pre, mid  and  post  COVID-19  pandemic  era  as 2019,  2020  and  2021,  respectively.  These  findings demonstrate

remarkable tropospheric NO2 column number density decreases even of 85% in the busier areas of emirate of Fujairah during the pandemic era. Sentinel-5P measurements draw attention to the significant reduction in

NO2 pollution over Fujairah during the COVID-19 lockdown where we had less traffic, which is supported by ground stations-based calculations.

Reference: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374988797_Studying_the_Effect_of_Anthropogenic_Activities_on_the_Presence_of_Nitrogen_Dioxide_NO2_through_Remote_Sensing_and_Ground_Based_Observations_over_Emirate_of_Fujairah_UAE