Inversion of long-lived trace gas emissions using combined Eulerian and Lagrangian chemical transport models

We present a method for estimating emissions of long-lived trace gases from a sparse global network of high-frequency observatories, using both a global Eulerian chemical transport model and Lagrangian particle dispersion model. Emissions are derived in a single step after determining sensitivities...

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Main Authors: M. Rigby, A. J. Manning, R. G. Prinn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2011-09-01
Series:Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Online Access:http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/11/9887/2011/acp-11-9887-2011.pdf
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author M. Rigby
A. J. Manning
R. G. Prinn
author_facet M. Rigby
A. J. Manning
R. G. Prinn
author_sort M. Rigby
collection DOAJ
description We present a method for estimating emissions of long-lived trace gases from a sparse global network of high-frequency observatories, using both a global Eulerian chemical transport model and Lagrangian particle dispersion model. Emissions are derived in a single step after determining sensitivities of the observations to initial conditions, the high-resolution emissions field close to observation points, and larger regions further from the measurements. This method has the several advantages over inversions using one type of model alone, in that: high-resolution simulations can be carried out in limited domains close to the measurement sites, with lower resolution being used further from them; the influence of errors due to aggregation of emissions close to the measurement sites can be minimized; assumptions about boundary conditions to the Lagrangian model do not need to be made, since the entire emissions field is estimated; any combination of appropriate models can be used, with no code modification. Because the sensitivity to the entire emissions field is derived, the estimation can be carried out using traditional statistical methods without the need for multiple steps in the inversion. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by determining global SF<sub>6</sub> emissions using measurements from the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) between 2007 and 2009. The global total and large-scale patterns of the derived emissions agree well with previous studies, whilst allowing emissions to be determined at higher resolution than has previously been possible, and improving the agreement between the modeled and observed mole fractions at some sites.
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spelling doaj.art-33e7337f9d824a9595baf75e1482a8552022-12-21T17:59:18ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242011-09-0111189887989810.5194/acp-11-9887-2011Inversion of long-lived trace gas emissions using combined Eulerian and Lagrangian chemical transport modelsM. RigbyA. J. ManningR. G. PrinnWe present a method for estimating emissions of long-lived trace gases from a sparse global network of high-frequency observatories, using both a global Eulerian chemical transport model and Lagrangian particle dispersion model. Emissions are derived in a single step after determining sensitivities of the observations to initial conditions, the high-resolution emissions field close to observation points, and larger regions further from the measurements. This method has the several advantages over inversions using one type of model alone, in that: high-resolution simulations can be carried out in limited domains close to the measurement sites, with lower resolution being used further from them; the influence of errors due to aggregation of emissions close to the measurement sites can be minimized; assumptions about boundary conditions to the Lagrangian model do not need to be made, since the entire emissions field is estimated; any combination of appropriate models can be used, with no code modification. Because the sensitivity to the entire emissions field is derived, the estimation can be carried out using traditional statistical methods without the need for multiple steps in the inversion. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by determining global SF<sub>6</sub> emissions using measurements from the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) between 2007 and 2009. The global total and large-scale patterns of the derived emissions agree well with previous studies, whilst allowing emissions to be determined at higher resolution than has previously been possible, and improving the agreement between the modeled and observed mole fractions at some sites.http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/11/9887/2011/acp-11-9887-2011.pdf
spellingShingle M. Rigby
A. J. Manning
R. G. Prinn
Inversion of long-lived trace gas emissions using combined Eulerian and Lagrangian chemical transport models
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
title Inversion of long-lived trace gas emissions using combined Eulerian and Lagrangian chemical transport models
title_full Inversion of long-lived trace gas emissions using combined Eulerian and Lagrangian chemical transport models
title_fullStr Inversion of long-lived trace gas emissions using combined Eulerian and Lagrangian chemical transport models
title_full_unstemmed Inversion of long-lived trace gas emissions using combined Eulerian and Lagrangian chemical transport models
title_short Inversion of long-lived trace gas emissions using combined Eulerian and Lagrangian chemical transport models
title_sort inversion of long lived trace gas emissions using combined eulerian and lagrangian chemical transport models
url http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/11/9887/2011/acp-11-9887-2011.pdf
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