Premium
First simultaneous space measurements of atmospheric pollutants in the boundary layer from IASI: A case study in the North China Plain
Author(s) -
Boynard Anne,
Clerbaux Cathy,
Clarisse Lieven,
Safieddine Sarah,
Pommier Matthieu,
Van Damme Martin,
Bauduin Sophie,
Oudot Charlotte,
HadjiLazaro Juliette,
Hurtmans Daniel,
Coheur PierreFrancois
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2013gl058333
Subject(s) - environmental science , pollutant , pollution , planetary boundary layer , atmospheric sciences , trace gas , boundary layer , sulfur dioxide , aerosol , environmental chemistry , sulfate , air pollution , nitrogen dioxide , meteorology , geology , chemistry , inorganic chemistry , ecology , physics , organic chemistry , biology , thermodynamics
In this paper we investigate a severe pollution episode that occurred in Beijing, Tianjin, and the Hebei province in January 2013. The episode was caused by the combination of anthropogenic emissions and a high‐pressure system that trapped pollutants in the boundary layer. Using IASI (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer) satellite measurements, high concentrations of key trace gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), and ammonia (NH 3 ) along with ammonium sulfate aerosol ((NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 ) are found. We show that IASI is able to detect boundary layer pollution in case of large negative thermal contrast combined with high levels of pollution. Our findings demonstrate that anthropogenic key pollutants, such as CO and SO 2 , can be monitored by IASI in the North China Plain during wintertime in support of air quality evaluation and management.