How Do Land Use/Cover Changes Influence Air Quality in Türkiye? A Satellite-Based Assessment

Air pollution critically impacts global health, climate change, and ecosystem balance. In Türkiye, rapid population growth, urban expansion, and industrial activities lead to significant land use and cover changes, negatively affecting air quality. This study examined the relationship between land use and land cover changes and six key pollutants (sulfur dioxide, ozone, aerosol index, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde) using TROPOMI/Sentinel-5P and European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative data between 2018 and 2024. Satellite-based remote sensing techniques, MODIS data, land surface temperature, and Normalized Vegetation Index analyses were employed. The findings revealed that nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide emissions increase with urban expansion and traffic density in metropolitan areas (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir), while agriculture and deforestation increase aerosol index levels in inland areas. Additionally, photochemical reactions increased surface ozone in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions. At the same time, sulfur dioxide and formaldehyde concentrations reached high levels in highly industrialized and metropolitan cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. This study highlights the role of green infrastructure in improving air quality and provides data-based recommendations for sustainable land management and urban planning policies.