This study presents an integrated satellitebased assessment of the spatiotemporal dynamics of urban air pollution and its climatic drivers in Arak City, Iran, during 2024. Four major gaseous pollutants CO, NO₂, SO₂, and O₃ were analyzed alongside key meteorological variables, including land surface temperature, precipitation, vapor pressure, wind speed, and downward shortwave solar radiation. Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI data were processed using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) to generate high-resolution maps across industrial, roadway, residential, suburban, and agricultural zones. The results reveal pronounced spatial disparities, with industrial and road corridors consistently showing the highest pollution levels, while suburban and agricultural zones maintained relatively lower concentrations. NO₂ and SO₂ frequently exceeded permissible thresholds, particularly in winter, due to traffic congestion and fossil fuel–based industrial activities. CO displayed strong seasonal variation linked to heating pattern and traffic intensity, whereas O₃ concentrations reflected photochemical processes influenced by precursor emissions and solar radiation. Meteorological modulation was evident: winter inversions, stagnant winds, and low dispersion amplified pollutant accumulation, while spring and summer conditions improved mixing but could not fully offset emissions from major sources. Granger causality analysis provided deeper insights into climate–pollution linkages. Solar radiation significantly influenced NO₂ variability, vapor pressure and precipitation strongly shaped land surface temperature, and wind speed exerted a causal impact on precipitation. These findings highlight the interconnected roles of atmospheric energy balance, circulation, and emissions in shaping air quality. From a health and environmental perspective, persistent pollutant exceedances pose severe risks for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, while aluminum production contributes airborne fluoride as an emerging hazard. Addressing these challenges requires stricter emission controls, adoption of cleaner industrial technologies, improved transportation management, and expansion of renewable energy. The integration of meteorological forecasting with satellite-based monitoring offers a promising pathway for sustainable air quality management and evidence-based policymaking in industrial cities.
