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Investigating the role of Neka Power Plant in the emission of atmospheric pollutants using remote sensing data

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Alireza Yousefi Kebria 1
Mahdi Nadi 2
Mohammad Ali Malaki 3
1 PhD, Agricultural Meteorology, Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Sari, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Agricultural Meteorology, Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Sari, Sari, Iran
3 Head of Applied Meteorology Development Group, Mazandaran Meteorological Department, Sari, Iran
10.30467/nivar.2025.234023
Abstract
Air pollution, as one of the most serious environmental challenges of the modern era, has adverse effects on human health, ecosystems, and the climate. One of the main sources of atmospheric pollutants is thermal power plants, which, depending on the type of fuel used, play a significant role in the emission of gases and particulate matter.
In this study, with the aim of assessing the impact of fuel type used in the Neka power plant on atmospheric pollutant emissions, satellite data from Sentinel‑5 and MODIS were analyzed over the period 2018–2023. Spatial and temporal variations of pollutants including SO₂, NO₂, CO, O₃, and AOD were evaluated under three operational fuel scenarios: natural gas, fuel oil (mazut), and a mixed mode.
Findings show that while natural gas consumption results in a relative increase in CO and O₃ — mainly due to incomplete combustion and photochemical reactions — it significantly reduces SO₂ and AOD emissions compared to fuel oil. Conversely, the use of fuel oil leads to a marked rise in SO₂ concentrations and the spread of pollution up to a radius of about 65 km eastward and 15 km southward.
Seasonal patterns also indicate peak O₃ concentrations in winter, CO in March and August, and AOD during warmer months. The recurrence of these patterns over the past five years reflects the combined effects of fuel type, climatic conditions, and energy consumption patterns on pollution levels.
The results of this study emphasize the necessity of formulating control policies based on cleaner fuel usage, applying advanced combustion technologies, and employing satellite monitoring systems to optimize air pollution management.
Keywords
Sentinel 5
MODIS
Fuel Oil Burning
Atmospheric Pollutants
Seasonal Patterns
Spatiotemporal Analysis

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Nivar

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 November 2025

  • Receive Date 24 April 2025
  • Revise Date 28 April 2025
  • Accept Date 07 May 2025
  • Publish Date 11 November 2025