Satellite images reveal extent of air pollution worldwide

World
Europe

Images taken by a new European satellite show the levels and distribution of air pollutants around the world, including ash spewing from a volcano in Indonesia.

The European Space Agency released images Friday made by its Sentinel-5P satellite that show high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in parts of Europe on Nov. 22.

Nitrogen dioxide is mainly caused by vehicle emissions and in industrial processes.

Another image shows high levels of carbon monoxide, commonly produced by fires, in Asia, Africa and South America.

Image released by European Space Agency ESA on Dec. 1, 2017, shows high levels of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide over the Netherlands and the Ruhr area in west Germany taken by Copernicus Sentinel-5P on Nov. 7, 2017. Sentinel-5P is the first Copernicus mission dedicated to monitoring our atmosphere. /KNMI/ESA via AP

A series of images also show sulfur dioxide, ash and smoke from the Mount Agung volcano in Bali last month.

Sentinel-5P, launched Oct. 13, can map levels of nitrogen dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide and other pollutants that can be hazardous to human health or contribute to global warming.

Image released by European Space Agency ESA on Friday shows sulphur dioxide from the Mount Agung volcanic eruption on Bali, Indonesia, taken by Copernicus Sentinel-5P on Nov. 27, 2017. Sentinel-5P is the first Copernicus mission dedicated to monitoring our atmosphere. /ESA/DLR via AP

(Cover Photo: Image released by European Space Agency ESA on Dec. 1, 2017, shows pollution from power plants in India taken by Copernicus Sentinel-5P on Nov. 10, 2017. Sentinel-5P is the first Copernicus mission dedicated to monitoring our atmosphere. /KNMI/ESA via AP)

Source(s): AP