Remote sensing in the analysis of the behavior of CO associated with confinement due to COVID-19, in the city of Manizales

This article analyzed the behavior of carbon monoxide (CO) levels in Manizales during pre-lockdown, lockdown, and post-lockdown, as a response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The analysis focuses on the data of CO levels obtained from the tropospheric monitoring instrument (TROPOMI), precipitation, and temperature (T) recorded by the network of stations of Caldas. The data allowed us to find that during the lockdown, the average value of CO was 9.92% lower than the value registered before the lockdown, and it was 11.75% lower after the lockdown. On the other hand, the correlation between CO levels and population density during the three periods was analyzed, obtaining an 𝑅2 = 0.816 after lockdown. Finally, considering other possible variables that can affect the CO levels, an analysis of the behavior of CO was carried out concerning the temperature and precipitation of the city registered before, during, and after the lockdown. Regarding CO and temperature, the correlation was inverse with Pearson’s 𝑟 = −0.599 (Fisher’s 𝑧 = −0.692), which also supports the decreasing trend of the value measured, and that the variation of CO levels does not depend only on lockdown but also on other factors. Regarding CO and precipitation, a positive correlation of Pearson’s 𝑟 = 0.165 (Fisher’s 𝑧 = 0.167) was obtained.