Space-based inversion tracks and attributes Shanxi's under-estimated carbon monoxide emissions

Abstract

A space-based mass-conserving framework using observed carbon monoxide (CO) and formaldehyde (HCHO) columns quantifies day-to-day and grid-to-grid CO emissions over energy-consuming Shanxi. Annualized total emissions are 8 times higher than a priori datasets, especially over low emission areas, resulting in an at least 7% increase in CO₂ emissions. Significant forcings include atmospheric lifetime of CO (0.3–16.5 d) and HCHO (0.1-6.5h), and transport. Annual CO emissions decreased year-by-year, although this is only obvious when considering the two to three highest months. The ratio of top-down CO to NO_x emissions show source attribution is possible over rural, urban, and five industrial areas (including power, iron/steel, and coke). Cross-border transport of CO is important in the peak emission months, including evolving sources from central Shaanxi and western Hebei. The major reason for the significant increase CO emissions is the fractional increase in non-high emitting area’s energy consumption, resulting in a spatial mis-alignment.