Global inverse modeling of CH<sub>4</sub> sources and sinks: an overview of methods
The aim of this paper is to present an overview of inverse modeling methods that have been developed over the years for estimating the global sources and sinks of CH<sub>4</sub>. It provides insight into how techniques and estimates have evolved over time and what the remaining shortcomi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2017-01-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/17/235/2017/acp-17-235-2017.pdf |
| Summary: | The aim of this paper is to present an overview of inverse modeling methods
that have been developed over the years for estimating the global sources and
sinks of CH<sub>4</sub>. It provides insight into how techniques and estimates have
evolved over time and what the remaining shortcomings are. As such, it
serves a didactical purpose of introducing apprentices to the field, but it
also takes stock of developments so far and reflects on promising new
directions. The main focus is on methodological aspects that are particularly
relevant for CH<sub>4</sub>, such as its atmospheric oxidation, the use of methane
isotopologues, and specific challenges in atmospheric transport modeling of
CH<sub>4</sub>. The use of satellite retrievals receives special attention as it is
an active field of methodological development, with special requirements on
the sampling of the model and the treatment of data uncertainty. Regional
scale flux estimation and attribution is still a grand challenge, which calls
for new methods capable of combining information from multiple data streams
of different measured parameters. A process model representation of sources
and sinks in atmospheric transport inversion schemes allows the integrated
use of such data. These new developments are needed not only to improve our
understanding of the main processes driving the observed global trend but
also to support international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |