Tracking NO2Pollution Changes Over Texas: Synthesis of In Situ and Satellite Observations

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are major air pollutants that play a crucial role in atmospheric chemistry. We compare Ozone Measuring Instrument's (OMI) NO2records 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 NO2with a Sunday minimum is well captured by OMI tropospheric NO2column observations with similar weekend reductions. NO2trend 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 NO2levels 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 NOxemissions. Linking satellite and ground‐based observations, this study presents variation and long‐term trends in Texas's nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration. Nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) are major air pollutants that play an important role in atmospheric chemistry. We compare NO2records from the Ozone Measuring Instrument with the in situ surface measurements from the Air Quality System of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to identify the potential synergies between the two observing systems. Our analysis of 40 surface sites suggests a fair to excellent correlation. NO2trend in Texas during 2005–2019 is characterized by significant reductions of 20%–36% in highly populated cities and urban centers. However, over the same period, a substantial increase of up to 80% was observed in oil and gas‐producing regions of the Permian and Eagle Ford Basins. Moreover, in March–April of 2020, Texas experienced up to 60% reduction in NO2levels 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 as significant as those achieved in the past 16 years of OMI, suggesting that technological advancement can curtail NOx emissions. The satellite observations exhibit significant correlations and consistent variations and trends with in situ surface measurementsNO2record over Texas show significant decline in populated cities and an increase of up to 80% over oil and natural gas extraction regionsCOVID‐19‐related restrictions in Texas lead up to a 60% reduction in NO2levels that exceed the reduction achieved in the past 15 years The satellite observations exhibit significant correlations and consistent variations and trends with in situ surface measurements NO2record over Texas show significant decline in populated cities and an increase of up to 80% over oil and natural gas extraction regions COVID‐19‐related restrictions in Texas lead up to a 60% reduction in NO2levels that exceed the reduction achieved in the past 15 years