Articles | Volume 26, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-1931-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-1931-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
06 Feb 2026
Research article |
| 06 Feb 2026
| 06 Feb 2026
How can we trust TROPOMI based methane emissions estimation: calculating emissions over unidentified source regions
Bo Zheng
School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Jason Blake Cohen
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Remote Sensing Applications, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Lingxiao Lu
School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Pravash Tiwari
School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Simone Lolli
CNR-Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis (IMAA), Contrada S. Loja, Tito Scalo, 85050, Italy
Andrea Garzelli
Department of Information Engineering and Mathematics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Hui Su
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Space Science and Technology Institute, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong SAR, China
School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Remote Sensing Applications, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
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Pravash Tiwari, Jason Blake Cohen, Hongrui Gao, Lingxiao Lu, Jun Wang, Oleg Dubovik, and Kai Qin
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-363, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-363, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
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Uncertainties in black carbon forcing persist due to the complex interplay of its microphysical properties. In this study, we integrated observations with physics-based simulations and machine learning to link microphysical variability to regional instantaneous forcing. We reveal that black carbon can either warm or cool the top of the atmosphere depending on its microphysics and abundance. Such nonlinear interactions must be explicitly considered to improve future radiative assessments.
Yuanjian Yang, Chenjie Qian, Minxuan Zhang, Chenchao Zhan, Zhenxin Liu, Pak Wai Chan, Xueyan Bi, Meng Gao, and Simone Lolli
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 19, 1345–1363, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-1345-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-1345-2026, 2026
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Up to ~ 40 % of ozone pollution in the Greater Bay Area of China is related to tropical cyclones. The O3 pollution was found to be transported from inland areas to coastal areas. The transport process can be roughly divided into three phases: downdraft control, horizontal transport, and vertical mixing.
Zhewen Liu, Jason B. Cohen, Pravash Tiwari, Luoyao Guan, Shuo Wang, Zhengqiang Li, and Kai Qin
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 18, 507–533, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-507-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-507-2026, 2026
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Black carbon (BC), emitted from fires, industry, and fossil fuels, warms the climate and worsens air quality. Due to complex physical and optical properties, BC remains poorly constrained. We combined satellite observations with physical models to build a daily, high-resolution, decadal global dataset of BC mass, number, size, and mixing details. The data contains both known sources and new hotspots. These results can support climate models, satellite products, and pollution mitigation.
Simone Lolli, Erica K. Dolinar, Jasper R. Lewis, Andreu Salcedo-Bosch, James R. Campbell, and Ellsworth J. Welton
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 411–426, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-411-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-411-2026, 2026
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Over the past twenty years, continuous lidar observations at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have assessed the radiative impact of cirrus clouds on the Earth–atmosphere system. Findings show these clouds increasingly trap heat as surface reflectivity drops with less snow and ice, contributing to local warming. Continued cirrus monitoring is crucial to refine climate forecasts and support effective climate action.
Ye Feng, Jason Blake Cohen, Xiaolu Li, Lingxiao Lu, Zhewen Liu, Lei Wang, Jian Liu, and Kai Qin
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5890, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5890, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
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Carbon monoxide emissions in Central Asia's coal-heavy regions, like Xinjiang Province and Kazakhstan, are poorly tracked. Using satellite data and a new approach, this study maps daily emissions (2019–2024) while addressing measurement errors. About 69 % of estimates were unreliable. Underground coal fires, often ignored, emit as much CO as power plants. Emissions peaked in 2019, dropped until 2022, then rose again, linking to policy changes and economic shifts.
Wanju Li, Lifang Sheng, Xueyan Bi, Zehao Huang, Yali Luo, Shiqi Xiao, Chao Liu, Yang Yang, Jiandong Wang, Yuanjian Yang, and Simone Lolli
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2955, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2955, 2025
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This study investigated the precursor factors of Warm-Sector Heavy Rainfall (WSHR) events in South China, which existed challenges in nowcasting and hazard warning. Four dynamical and thermodynamical indices were explored and tracked as precursor signals of WSHR, showing anomalous values in precursor signals are detected 1–4 hours preceding WSHR onset with regional heterogeneity. This research provides fundamental insights to enhance nowcasting and hazard warning for WSHR in South China.
Luoyao Guan, Jason Blake Cohen, Shuo Wang, Pravash Tiwari, Zhewen Liu, and Kai Qin
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3229, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3229, 2025
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This study examines how black carbon particles from the coal industry influence regional climate by absorbing sunlight. Based on ground measurements and modeling, we find that conventional approaches, which oversimplify particle size and structure, underestimate their warming effect. Our results highlight that more realistic particle characterizations are crucial for improving climate predictions in industrial regions.
Tao Shi, Yuanjian Yang, Gaopeng Lu, Zuofang Zheng, Yucheng Zi, Ye Tian, Lei Liu, and Simone Lolli
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 9219–9234, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9219-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9219-2025, 2025
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The city significantly influences thunderstorm and lightning activity, yet the potential mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Our study has revealed that both city size and building density play pivotal roles in modulating thunderstorm and lightning activity. This research not only deepens our understanding of urban meteorology but also lays an important foundation for developing accurate and targeted urban thunderstorm risk prediction models.
Fan Lu, Kai Qin, Jason Blake Cohen, Qin He, Pravash Tiwari, Wei Hu, Chang Ye, Yanan Shan, Qing Xu, Shuo Wang, and Qiansi Tu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5837–5856, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5837-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5837-2025, 2025
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This work describes a field campaign and new fast emissions estimation approach to attribute methane from a large known and previously unknown coal mine in Shanxi, China. The emissions computed are shown to be larger than known oil and gas sources, indicating that methane from coal mines may play a larger role in the global methane budget. The results are found to be slightly larger than or similar to satellite observational campaigns over the same region.
Tao Shi, Yuanjian Yang, Lian Zong, Min Guo, Ping Qi, and Simone Lolli
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4989–5007, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4989-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4989-2025, 2025
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Our study explored the daily temperature patterns in urban areas of the Yangtze River Delta, focusing on how weather and human activities impact these patterns. We found that temperatures were higher at night, and weather patterns had a bigger impact during the day, while human activities mattered more at night. This helps us understand and address urban overheating.
Tianwen Wei, Mengya Wang, Kenan Wu, Jinlong Yuan, Haiyun Xia, and Simone Lolli
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 1841–1857, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-1841-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-1841-2025, 2025
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This study analyzes three years of wind lidar measurements to explore the dynamics of the urban planetary boundary layer in Hefei, China. Results reveal that nocturnal low-level jets are most frequent in spring and intensify in summer, significantly enhancing turbulence and shear near the surface, particularly at night. Additionally, cloud cover raises the mixing layer height by approximately 100 m at night due to the greenhouse effect but reduces it by up to 200 m in the afternoon.
Lingxiao Lu, Jason Blake Cohen, Kai Qin, Xiaolu Li, and Qin He
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2291–2309, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2291-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2291-2025, 2025
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This study applies an approach that assimilates NO2 vertical column densities from TROPOMI in a mass-conserving manner and inverts daily NOx emissions, presented over rapidly changing regions in China. Source attribution is quantified by the local thermodynamics of the combustion temperature (NOx/NO2). Emission results identify sources which do not exist in the a priori datasets, especially medium industrial sources located next to the Yangtze River.
Fengjiao Chen, Yuanjian Yang, Lu Yu, Yang Li, Weiguang Liu, Yan Liu, and Simone Lolli
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1587–1601, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1587-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1587-2025, 2025
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The microphysical mechanisms of precipitation responsible for the varied impacts of aerosol particles on shallow precipitation remain unclear. This study reveals that coarse aerosol particles invigorate shallow rainfall through enhanced coalescence processes, whereas fine aerosol particles suppress shallow rainfall through intensified microphysical breaks. These impacts are independent of thermodynamic environments but are more significant in low-humidity conditions.
Tao Shi, Yuanjian Yang, Ping Qi, and Simone Lolli
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 12807–12822, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12807-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12807-2024, 2024
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This paper explored the formation mechanisms of the amplified canopy urban heat island intensity (ΔCUHII) during heat wave (HW) periods in the megacity of Beijing from the perspectives of mountain–valley breeze and urban morphology. During the mountain breeze phase, high-rise buildings with lower sky view factors (SVFs) had a pronounced effect on the ΔCUHII. During the valley breeze phase, high-rise buildings exerted a dual influence on the ΔCUHII.
Kai Qin, Hongrui Gao, Xuancen Liu, Qin He, Pravash Tiwari, and Jason Blake Cohen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 5287–5310, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-5287-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-5287-2024, 2024
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Satellites have brought new opportunities for monitoring atmospheric NO2, although the results are limited by clouds and other factors, resulting in missing data. This work proposes a new process to obtain reliable data products with high coverage by reconstructing the raw data from multiple satellites. The results are validated in terms of traditional methods as well as variance maximization and demonstrate a good ability to reproduce known polluted and clean areas around the world.
Qiansi Tu, Frank Hase, Kai Qin, Jason Blake Cohen, Farahnaz Khosrawi, Xinrui Zou, Matthias Schneider, and Fan Lu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 4875–4894, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4875-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4875-2024, 2024
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Four-year satellite observations of XCH4 are used to derive CH4 emissions in three regions of China’s coal-rich Shanxi province. The wind-assigned anomalies for two opposite wind directions are calculated, and the estimated emission rates are comparable to the current bottom-up inventory but lower than the CAMS and EDGAR inventories. This research enhances the understanding of emissions in Shanxi and supports climate mitigation strategies by validating emission inventories.
Kai Qin, Wei Hu, Qin He, Fan Lu, and Jason Blake Cohen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 3009–3028, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-3009-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-3009-2024, 2024
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We compute CH4 emissions and uncertainty on a mine-by-mine basis, including underground, overground, and abandoned mines. Mine-by-mine gas and flux data and 30 min observations from a flux tower located next to a mine shaft are integrated. The observed variability and bias correction are propagated over the emissions dataset, demonstrating that daily observations may not cover the range of variability. Comparisons show both an emissions magnitude and spatial mismatch with current inventories.
Cristina Gil-Díaz, Michäel Sicard, Adolfo Comerón, Daniel Camilo Fortunato dos Santos Oliveira, Constantino Muñoz-Porcar, Alejandro Rodríguez-Gómez, Jasper R. Lewis, Ellsworth J. Welton, and Simone Lolli
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 1197–1216, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1197-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1197-2024, 2024
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In this paper, a statistical study of cirrus geometrical and optical properties based on 4 years of continuous ground-based lidar measurements with the Barcelona (Spain) Micro Pulse Lidar (MPL) is analysed. The cloud optical depth, effective column lidar ratio and linear cloud depolarisation ratio have been calculated by a new approach to the two-way transmittance method, which is valid for both ground-based and spaceborne lidar systems. Their associated errors are also provided.
Jianping Guo, Jian Zhang, Jia Shao, Tianmeng Chen, Kaixu Bai, Yuping Sun, Ning Li, Jingyan Wu, Rui Li, Jian Li, Qiyun Guo, Jason B. Cohen, Panmao Zhai, Xiaofeng Xu, and Fei Hu
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 1–14, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-1-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-1-2024, 2024
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A global continental merged high-resolution (PBLH) dataset with good accuracy compared to radiosonde is generated via machine learning algorithms, covering the period from 2011 to 2021 with 3-hour and 0.25º resolution in space and time. The machine learning model takes parameters derived from the ERA5 reanalysis and GLDAS product as input, with PBLH biases between radiosonde and ERA5 as the learning targets. The merged PBLH is the sum of the predicted PBLH bias and the PBLH from ERA5.
Simone Lolli, Michaël Sicard, Francesco Amato, Adolfo Comeron, Cristina Gíl-Diaz, Tony C. Landi, Constantino Munoz-Porcar, Daniel Oliveira, Federico Dios Otin, Francesc Rocadenbosch, Alejandro Rodriguez-Gomez, Andrés Alastuey, Xavier Querol, and Cristina Reche
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 12887–12906, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12887-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12887-2023, 2023
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We evaluated the long-term trends and seasonal variability of the vertically resolved aerosol properties over the past 17 years in Barcelona. Results shows that air quality is improved, with a consistent drop in PM concentrations at the surface, as well as the column aerosol optical depth. The results also show that natural dust outbreaks are more likely in summer, with aerosols reaching an altitude of 5 km, while in winter, aerosols decay as an exponential with a scale height of 600 m.
Yuhang Zhang, Jintai Lin, Jhoon Kim, Hanlim Lee, Junsung Park, Hyunkee Hong, Michel Van Roozendael, Francois Hendrick, Ting Wang, Pucai Wang, Qin He, Kai Qin, Yongjoo Choi, Yugo Kanaya, Jin Xu, Pinhua Xie, Xin Tian, Sanbao Zhang, Shanshan Wang, Siyang Cheng, Xinghong Cheng, Jianzhong Ma, Thomas Wagner, Robert Spurr, Lulu Chen, Hao Kong, and Mengyao Liu
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 4643–4665, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4643-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4643-2023, 2023
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Our tropospheric NO2 vertical column density product with high spatiotemporal resolution is based on the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) and named POMINO–GEMS. Strong hotspot signals and NO2 diurnal variations are clearly seen. Validations with multiple satellite products and ground-based, mobile car and surface measurements exhibit the overall great performance of the POMINO–GEMS product, indicating its capability for application in environmental studies.
Xiaolu Li, Jason Blake Cohen, Kai Qin, Hong Geng, Xiaohui Wu, Liling Wu, Chengli Yang, Rui Zhang, and Liqin Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 8001–8019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8001-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8001-2023, 2023
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Remotely sensed NO2 and surface NOx are combined with a mathematical method to estimate daily NOx emissions. The results identify new sources and improve existing estimates. The estimation is driven by three flexible factors: thermodynamics of combustion, chemical loss, and atmospheric transport. The thermodynamic term separates power, iron, and cement from coking, boilers, and aluminum. This work finds three causes for the extremes: emissions, UV radiation, and transport.
Qiansi Tu, Frank Hase, Zihan Chen, Matthias Schneider, Omaira García, Farahnaz Khosrawi, Shuo Chen, Thomas Blumenstock, Fang Liu, Kai Qin, Jason Cohen, Qin He, Song Lin, Hongyan Jiang, and Dianjun Fang
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 2237–2262, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2237-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2237-2023, 2023
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Four-year TROPOMI observations are used to derive tropospheric NO2 emissions in two mega(cities) with high anthropogenic activity. Wind-assigned anomalies are calculated, and the emission rates and spatial patterns are estimated based on a machine learning algorithm. The results are in reasonable agreement with previous studies and the inventory. Our method is quite robust and can be used as a simple method to estimate the emissions of NO2 as well as other gases in other regions.
Zexia Duan, Zhiqiu Gao, Qing Xu, Shaohui Zhou, Kai Qin, and Yuanjian Yang
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 4153–4169, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-4153-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-4153-2022, 2022
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Land–atmosphere interactions over the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) in China are becoming more varied and complex, as the area is experiencing rapid land use changes. In this paper, we describe a dataset of microclimate and eddy covariance variables at four sites in the YRD. This dataset has potential use cases in multiple research fields, such as boundary layer parametrization schemes, evaluation of remote sensing algorithms, and development of climate models in typical East Asian monsoon regions.
Lian Zong, Yuanjian Yang, Haiyun Xia, Meng Gao, Zhaobin Sun, Zuofang Zheng, Xianxiang Li, Guicai Ning, Yubin Li, and Simone Lolli
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 6523–6538, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-6523-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-6523-2022, 2022
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Heatwaves (HWs) paired with higher ozone (O3) concentration at surface level pose a serious threat to human health. Taking Beijing as an example, three unfavorable synoptic weather patterns were identified to dominate the compound HW and O3 pollution events. Under the synergistic stress of HWs and O3 pollution, public mortality risk increased, and synoptic patterns and urbanization enhanced the compound risk of events in Beijing by 33.09 % and 18.95 %, respectively.
Xiaolu Ling, Ying Huang, Weidong Guo, Yixin Wang, Chaorong Chen, Bo Qiu, Jun Ge, Kai Qin, Yong Xue, and Jian Peng
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 4209–4229, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-4209-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-4209-2021, 2021
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Soil moisture (SM) plays a critical role in the water and energy cycles of the Earth system, for which a long-term SM product with high quality is urgently needed. In situ observations are generally treated as the true value to systematically evaluate five SM products, including one remote sensing product and four reanalysis data sets during 1981–2013. This long-term intercomparison study provides clues for SM product enhancement and further hydrological applications.
Gemine Vivone, Giuseppe D'Amico, Donato Summa, Simone Lolli, Aldo Amodeo, Daniele Bortoli, and Gelsomina Pappalardo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 4249–4265, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4249-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4249-2021, 2021
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We developed a methodology to retrieve the atmospheric boundary layer height from elastic and multi-wavelength lidar observations that uses a new approach based on morphological image processing techniques. The intercomparison with other state-of-the-art algorithms shows on average 30 % improved performance. The algorithm also shows excellent performance with respect to the running time, i.e., just few seconds to execute the whole signal processing chain over 72 h of continuous measurements.
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Short summary
This study provides TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument) with a new methane emission estimation method that can accurately identify emission sources. Our results generate non-negative emission datasets using objective selection and filtering methods. The results include lower minimum emission thresholds for all power grids and fewer false positives. The new method provides more robust emission quantification in the face of data uncertainty, going beyond traditional plume identification and background subtraction.
This study provides TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument) with a new methane emission...
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