Pollution plumes observed during CARIBIC flights in the upper troposphere between South China and the Philippines
Author:
Lai S. C.,Baker A. K.,Schuck T. J.,van Velthoven P.,Oram D. E.,Zahn A.,Hermann M.,Weigelt A.,Slemr F.,Brenninkmeijer C. A. M.
Abstract
Abstract. A strong pollution episode in the upper troposphere between South China and the Philippines was observed during CARIBIC flights in April 2007. Five pollution plumes were intersected and enhancements in aerosol and trace gas concentrations including CO, CO2, CH4, non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) and halocarbons were observed along the flight tracks during four sequential flights. The importance of the contribution of biomass burning was investigated using chemical tracers, emission factor analysis, back-trajectory analysis and satellite images. The Indochinese peninsula was identified as the probable source region of biomass/biofuel burning. However, enhancements in the urban/industrial tracer C2Cl4 in the plumes also indicate a substantial contribution from anthropogenic emissions. An estimation of the anthropogenic component of CO shows that biomass/biofuel burning contributed 44–63% to the intersected plumes.
Publisher
Copernicus GmbH
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