Nitrogen Dioxide Trends
Aura…AuraNitrogen Dioxide TrendsHomeAboutSpacecraft and InstrumentsWhy Aura?Science and DataEducationNewsroom Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria pollutant. It contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone. Anthropogenic sources of NO2 include power plants and transportation. Aura’s Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) instrument observe the trends in nitrogen dioxide. The Aura OMI Nitrogen dioxide 2007 – 2005 annual measurements show decreases in US due to greater controls on car and power plant NOx emissions. Increases in Asia due to increased emissions (power plants and transportation). Nitrogen dioxide in Southern California is more concentrated in more densely populated urban areas. NO2 forms quickly from emissions from cars, trucks and buses, power plants, and off-road equipment. In addition to contributing to the formation of ground-level ozone, and fine particle pollution, NO2 is linked with a number of adverse effects, particularly affecting the respiratory system. Tropospheric column NO2 concentrations (molecules/cm2) from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) over the South...