The new Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission has delivered its first images, highlighting concentrations of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone. Despite being preliminary, these images mark a major milestone in Europe’s ability to monitor air quality all the way from geostationary orbit, 36 000 kilometres above Earth.
This image depicts tropospheric nitrogen dioxide with clear pollution hotspots visible along the Mediterranean coast and over Italy’s Po Valley.
It should be noted that Sentinel-4 cannot measure nitrogen dioxide over areas covered by cloud, which is why the image does not display concentrations over some parts of the map. The image on the right shows cloud cover at the time.
As a major air pollutant released during the combustion of fossil fuels, such as in vehicle engines, power plants and heating systems, concentrations of nitrogen dioxide can change rapidly. It is toxic on its own and also contributes to the formation of secondary pollutants like ozone and particulate matter both of which have serious impacts on human health and the environment.
Read full story: Sentinel-4 offers first glimpses of air pollutants