The upper panel of Figure 1 illustrates the NO 2 vertical column density (VCD) in Houston, as captured by high-resolution TROPOMI satellite data, presented in units of molecules/cm 2. Businesses were permitted to reopen starting May 1st, 2020, but due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, the state of Texas suspended further reopening on June 25th. The lockdown included a variety of restrictions, such as limiting the number of people who could gather, closing schools, and restricting travel. As a result of the pandemic, atmospheric scientists had an unprecedented opportunity to study and track the amount of pollution caused by fewer human interactions with the environment. Lockdowns, quarantines, and travel restrictions limited the use of fossil fuels in daily life during this period, reducing NO 2 pollution. Texas relies heavily on energy production, so its economy was at risk when COVID-19 struck. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, due to a worldwide outbreak of new Coronaviruses (COVID-19). By understanding NOx sources and atmospheric processes, air pollution could be mitigated without harming industrial and business activities. Due to Texas’s migration destination status, that state experiences constant population growth, leading to increased pollution in Houston. In addition, these booming industries have adversely affected the environment, human health, and natural ecosystems. According to Accounts 1, Texas contributed significantly to the nation’s economy by producing the most oil (43%) and natural gas (25%). Oil & gas extraction is a highly booming industry in Texas, and all of these sources involve burning fossil fuels. Power plants, motor vehicles, construction industries, and food manufacturing are among Texas’s most prevalent sources of tropospheric NO 2 emissions. Among the most significant anthropogenic processes is burning fossil fuels (64% of total emissions), while natural processes include vegetation fires, lightning, and soil erosion. 3 Anthropogenic and natural processes contribute to NO 2 pollution in the atmosphere. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced he was " pulling the emergency brake" on reopening plans and placed most of the state back in the highest level of coronavirus restrictions.Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) is a trace gas associated with various respiratory and environmental health issues. Mike DeWine on Tuesday said Ohio will now be under a curfew in an attempt to halt the surge in his state. New restrictions and mandates are being put in place in cities across the country as cases of Covid-19 spike. Now some in the media are saying that South Dakota is the worst in the world right now and that is absolutely false."Īs of Wednesday, South Dakota had over 68,671 cases and 671 deaths related to coronavirus, and the state had seen a 28 percent increase in cases over the past 14 days. Cases are on the rise in 39 of those 41 states. "There are 41 states that have some kind of a mask mandate. During a press conference on Wednesday, she rejected claims that cases in South Dakota are on the rise because of her refusal to put in place mask mandates and a lockdown.
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