Atmospheric ozone and pandemic lockdowns

Atmospheric Science In response to the global spread of COVID-19, many countries implemented measures that limited mobility and resulted in a decrease in economic activity. Miyazaki et al. studied the global-scale impacts of these lockdowns on free tropospheric ozone, which is important for controlling the atmospheric oxidation capacity and as a climate-forcing agent. They found that reduced industrial and transportation activities associated with the pandemic, especially in Asia and the Americas, reduced the release rate of reactive nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere and led to the production of smaller amounts of ozone. This work illustrates the connections between pollutant emissions and the resultant impacts on atmospheric composition and climate. Sci. Adv. 10.1126/sciadv.abf7460 (2021).