Air quality impacts of war detected from the Sentinel-5P satellite over Ukraine

Abstract

The general aim of this research is to analyze spatial-temporal changes of air quality, which are the consequences of the military invasion of the Russian on the territory of Ukraine based on open remote sensing data, geoinformation and cloud technologies. The density of NO2, SO2, CO and HCHO as well as the density of O3 and the absorbing aerosol index (AAI) extracted from the Sentinel-5P satellite using Google Earth Engine (GEE) showed reduced emission of primary air pollutants and a high level of atmospheric restoration compared to 2021, the year before the war. At the same time values of the AAI increased significantly, indicating the presence of smoke and dust in the air. Obtained results showed one more aspect of the drastic effect of the war on the economic and social processes and environmental conditions. The consequences of this ecological effect can have a long-term negative impact on the health of populations.