Impact of the COVID-19 Restrictive Measures on Urban Traffic-Related Air Pollution in Serbia

• Published in: Frontiers in environmental science Vol. 10
• Main Authors: Malinović-Milićević, Slavica, Doljak, Dejan, Stanojević, Gorica, Radovanović, Milan M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 04-05-2022
• Subjects: air pollution; COVID-19 restrictions; meteorology; mobility; Serbia; traffic
• ISSN: 2296-665X; 2296-665X
• DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.823973

This study has analyzed the traffic-related change in atmospheric pollutants levels (PM
2.5
, PM
10
, CO, NO
2
, SO
2
, and O
3
) caused by the COVID-19 restrictive measures, based on traffic ground-based stations data in urban areas in Serbia. The possible influence of several meteorological factors (temperature, wind, pressure, and humidity), and mobility on the pollutants’ levels were also considered. The obtained results showed a positive correlation of daily NO
2
concentrations with mobility and its significant reduction during restrictive measures at all selected monitoring stations. The reduction of NO
2
was higher than in other countries (71.1–111.5% for measured, and 49.3–92.6% for “deweathered” data), indicating a high traffic impact on NO
2
levels in Serbia. The PM, CO, and SO
2
showed a weak correlation with mobility during the period with restrictive measures, which, besides traffic, indicates the significant influence of other sources of their concentration. The O
3
concentrations were increased at all measuring stations and are negatively correlated to mobility. Comparison of pollutant concentrations during restriction with the equivalent period in preceding years showed reductions in NO
2
and SO
2
concentrations. However, compared to previous years, the concentrations of PM
2.5
, PM
10
, and CO increased in the period with restrictive measures, indicating lower sensitivity to population mobility and higher dependence on other emission sources. The findings suggest the justification for the use of traffic reduction strategies to improve air quality.