Emissions & Satellite Data

Goal

This study will develop best-practice recommendations for the utilization of satellite data for emissions evaluation.

Objectives

Because of their radiative properties, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are among a small group of gas-phase air pollutants that may be reliably detected from space. These gases have short atmospheric lifetimes, such that satellite-based observations are a useful indicator of fuel combustion. Although the characterization of gas-phase emissions has emerged as one of the leading areas for air quality utilization of satellite data, multiple atmospheric processes affect the relationship between satellite-derived column abundance and near-surface. We will evaluate two different methods to compare satellite NO2 , and to a limited extent SO2, with emission inventories developed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Outcomes

  • Compare satellite data for NO2 and SO2 columns with model simulations from the high-resolution WRF-CAMx model, including seasonal and monthly mean difference plots across the 12 km and 4 km modeling domains and in-depth difference analyses for select areas
  • Evaluate the utility of satellite data for NOX emissions inventory evaluation, without the use of a high-resolution model
  • Evaluate how model-based emissions assessment compares to emissions assessment in the absence of model, finalizing recommendations, software, and algorithms
  • Develop best-practice recommendations and software to support future TCEQ utilization of satellite data for emissionevaluation

Publications

Evaluating NOx emissions and their effect on O3 production in Texas using TROPOMI NO2 and HCHO, 2022