The effect of COVID-19 lockdown on atmospheric total particle numbers, nanoparticle numbers and mass concentrations in the UK

The main aim of the COVID-19 lockdown was to curtail the person-to-person transmission of COVID-19. However, it also acted as an air quality intervention. The effect of the lockdown has been extensively analysed on NO(2), O(3), PM(10) and PM(2.5), however, little has been done on how total (TPN) and nanoparticle numbers (NPN) have been affected by the lockdown. This paper quantifies the effect of the lockdown on TPN and NPN in the UK, and compares how the effect varies between rural, urban background and traffic sites. Furthermore, the effect on particle numbers is compared with particle mass concentrations, mainly PM(10) and PM(2.5). Two approaches are used: (a) comparing measured levels of the pollutants in 2019 with 2020 during the lockdown periods; and (b) comparing the predictions of machine learning with measured concentrations using business as usual (BAU) scenario during the lockdown period. P(100) (particle size ≤100 nm) increased by 39% at Chilbolton Observatory (CHO) and decreased by 13% and 14% at London Honor Oak Park (LHO) and London Marylebone Road (LMR), respectively. Particles from 101 to 200 nm (P(200)) showed a similar trend to P(100), however, average levels of particles 201–605 nm (P(605)) decreased at all sites. TPN, PM(10) and PM(2.5) concentrations decreased at LMR and LHO sites. Estimated PM(10), PM(2.5) and TPN decreased at all three sites, however, the amount of change varied from site to site. Pollutant concentrations increased back the to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting more sustainable interventions for permanent air quality improvement.