Atmospheric NO2 Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors in Yangtze River Economic Belt: Analysis of the NO2 Product of TROPOMI/Sentinel-5P

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has a great influence on atmospheric chemistry. Scientifically identifying the temporal-spatial characteristics of NO2 distribution and their driving factors will be of realistic significance to atmospheric governance in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB). Based on the NO2 data derived from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) onboard the Sentinel-5 satellite (2017 similar to present), spatial autocorrelation analysis, standard deviation ellipse (SDE), and geodetectors were used to systematically analyze the spatial-temporal evolution and driving factors of tropospheric NO2 vertical column density (NO2 VCD) in the YREB from 2019 to 2020. The results showed that the NO2 VCD in the YREB was high in winter and autumn and low in spring and summer (temporal distribution), and high in the northeast and low in the southwest (spatial distribution), with significant spatial agglomeration. High-value agglomeration zones were collectively and stably distributed in the east region, while low-value zones were relatively dispersed. The explanatory power of each potential factor for the NO2 VCD showed regional and seasonal variations. Surface pressure was found to be a core influencing factor. Synergistic effects of factors presented bivariate enhancement or nonlinear enhancement, and interaction between any two factors strengthened the explanatory power of a single factor for the NO2 VCD.

Automated summary

The research found that NO2 levels in the Yangtze River Economic Belt are high in winter and autumn, low in spring and summer, and exhibit significant spatial clustering, with the northeast having higher levels than the southwest. Surface pressure was identified as a core driving factor, and the explanatory power of various factors varied regionally and seasonally. Interactions between different factors can enhance the explanatory power of individual factors for NO2 levels.