Air Quality — Sulphur Dioxide

Risksv01.00 credits/fixed

Responsible:Niccolò Calandri

Air Quality — Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)

Overview

The Air Quality — Sulphur Dioxide indicator shows the daily mean SO₂ concentration in the air. SO₂ is a gaseous pollutant produced by the combustion of sulphur-containing fossil fuels (coal, fuel oil) and industrial processes such as oil refining and metal smelting.

In the atmosphere, SO₂ is converted to sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄), contributing to acid rain that damages vegetation, acidifies soils and water bodies, and compromises aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity. High concentrations cause leaf necrosis, chlorosis, and reduced growth in plants, with particularly severe effects on lichens and mosses — bioindicator organisms for air quality.

Calculation Methodology

Data come from the Open-Meteo Air Quality API (CAMS model). The variable used is sulphur_dioxide (SO₂ concentration at ground level). For each day, the average of hourly values is calculated.

Data Sources

Code	Name	Provider	Type	Coverage	Availability
`WRD_OPNAQ_99`	Open-Meteo Air Quality API	Open-Meteo / CAMS	db	Global (Europe: 11 km)	From 2013 to present

References

EEA (2022). "Air quality in Europe 2022". EEA Report No 05/2022.
Cape, J.N. et al. (2009). Science of the Total Environment, 407, 3903-3920.
Open-Meteo Air Quality API

Data Sources & References

Sources

WRD_OPNAQ_99

Methodology

Average daily concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) at ground level. Open-Meteo variable: sulphur_dioxide. Daily average of hourly values. Source: Open-Meteo Air Quality API (CAMS). Unit: μg/m³.