Study Summary
The study analyzes the sensitivity of the atmospheric electric field (potential gradient, PG) to anthropogenic air pollution in the megacity of São Paulo during the 2018–2024 period. The research demonstrates a reproducible hierarchy in the electric field–pollutant coupling, with primary combustion gases (NOx, NO, and CO) showing the strongest associations.
The results reveal that the coupling is strongly dependent on the dynamic regime of the atmospheric boundary layer. Sensitivity preferentially emerges under stable conditions and weak ventilation. The study also evaluates anthropogenic perturbations such as the COVID-19 lockdown, which produced a sustained reduction in the urban electric field.
How to cite this work:
Romero, R., et al., Regime-dependent sensitivity of the atmospheric potential gradient to anthropogenic air pollution in São Paulo, Brazil. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=6248504