Tracking NO₂ Pollution Changes Over Texas: Synthesis of In Situ and Satellite Observations

Abstract

Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) are major air pollutants that play a crucial role in atmospheric chemistry. We compare Ozone Measuring Instrument's (OMI) NO₂ records with the in situ surface measurements from the Air Quality System of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality network in the state of Texas with the goal of understanding the correspondence of satellite and in situ surface observations and identifying the potential synergies between the two observing systems. Our analysis of over 40 in situ daily surface site observations, mostly from urban areas, and OMI daily observed data suggests a correlation (r) ranging between 0.2 and 0.8. The correlation improves considerably (r > 0.5) for monthly average data. Weekly variation of surface NO₂ with a Sunday minimum is well captured by OMI tropospheric NO₂ column observations with similar weekend reductions. NO₂ trend in Texas during 2005–2019 is characterized by significant reductions of 20%–36% in highly populated cities and urban centers. However, a significant (up to 80%) increase was observed in oil and gas producing regions of the Permian and Eagle Ford Basins over the same period. In March–April of 2020, like the other US and global cities, Texas experienced up to 60% reduction in NO₂ levels in major cities due to travel restrictions imposed at local and national levels to contain the spread of COVID-19. Though such reduction is temporary, these reductions were significantly larger than those achieved in the past 16 years of OMI record suggesting that technological advancement can curtail NOₓ emissions