Analysis of atmospheric air pollutants (CO, NO2, and SO2), through Sentinel-5P images in Google Earth Engine, Apurimac region, period 2020-2023

Atmospheric pollution, produced by CO, NO₂, and SO₂, represents a significant risk to health and the environment globally. In regions such as Apurimac, Peru, this problem is aggravated by industrial and vehicular emissions. The study aimed to analyze the spatiotemporal trends of these pollutants between 2020 and 2023 using Sentinel-5P satellite data, to identify critical areas and seasonal variations. Data from the TROPOMI instrument on board Sentinel-5P, processed using Google Earth Engine (GEE), were used to map pollutant concentrations. The analyses were performed with JavaScript algorithms. The study focused on urban, industrial, and mining areas. The results showed elevated CO levels in urban areas, such as Abancay, with peaks reaching up to 150 µg/m³, associated with vehicular traffic and agricultural burning. Critical NO₂ points were located near mining operations with maximum values of 0.375 µg/m³, while SO₂ peaks up to 9.8 µg/m³ coincided with industrial activities. Seasonal increases were observed during the months of pasture burning (August to October). Correlations between pollutants were weak (r = 0.1) for CO, and a coefficient of determination for NO2 (R2 = 0.004), reflecting diverse emission sources. Although concentrations generally remained below World Health Agency (WHO) limits, localized pollution hotspots persist, driven by anthropogenic activities. The study demonstrates the usefulness of GEE for regional air quality monitoring and highlights the need for policies aimed at reducing emissions, especially in mining and urban areas.