A few days ago, the European Space Agency released its Envisat observations. According to the news on ESA website, Envisat is the largest environmental satellite at this moment. The most interesting finding is, at least to me, is the distribution of nitrogen dioxide in the world. Practically, it's the map.

From the map, there are a few large hotspots.


A larger map can be found here.
The location and the intensity of the two hotspots are probably expected. One is located somewhere around New England while another concentrated around the Benelux. However, I was surprised to see the size of China’s hotspots.

I know that China has been growing rather fast and has a somewhat questionable environmental record. Yet, I have never thought the pollution in China to be that bad. Though it might be premature to say the distribution of nitrogen dioxide represents the pollution spread on the whole, I do think it is safe to assume such distribution gives a picture of what is happening. After all, nitrogen dioxide is rarely produced in nature.

Another location that I didn't expect is South Africa. But that is rather because I don't know much about Africa. But I wonder, what is that big light blue blob near the Gulf of Guinea? What could possibly going on there?

Maybe oil, I think. I don't know.