Non-disturbing methods of estimating trace gas emissions from agricultural and forest sources

• Main Author: Kaharabata, Samuel K.
• Other Authors: Schuepp, P. H. (advisor)
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: McGill University 1999
• Subjects: Air > Pollution > Mathematical models.; Atmospheric diffusion > Mathematical models.; Atmospheric methane.
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=35903

Two approaches, one using an atmospheric diffusion model and the other an atmospheric tracer, were used to predict the source strength of trace gases from observations of the downwind concentration field. Both approaches do not disturb the prevailing environmental and physical conditions nor the existing biogenic processes. An analytical solution to the advection-diffusion equation was used to back-calculate the source strength from the downwind concentration measurements of (i) single and multipoint (4 and 16 points) trace gas (sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and methane (CH4)) release experiments conducted over microplots over an open field, and (ii) single point source SF6 release experiments conducted over a forested terrain. Best predictions of the source strength (to within +/-20%) were obtained from concentration observations made along the centreline of the diffusing plumes with the predictions improving when observations at the mean plume height were used. The diffusion model was then used to compute footprint estimates for neutral and unstable conditions, for tower and aircraft based observation platforms above the forest. They showed spatially constrained footprints in the surface layer, due to effective vertical coupling, so that observations from towers and low flying aircraft must be expected to be very site specific, and scaling up to larger areas will have to be done with careful consideration of surface mosaics. Above-canopy sampling of trace gases to determine volatile organic compound emissions were then interpreted in terms of footprint considerations. This was accomplished by defining the upwind canopy areas effectively sampled under the given wind and stability conditions. The analysis demonstrated, for example, that the variability observed in measured isoprene fluxes could be accounted for by varying numbers of randomly distributed clumps of emitter species within a varying footprint. It suggested that heterogeneity of the forest canopy, in ter === Sulphur hexafluoride was also used as an atmospheric tracer in order to estimate CH4 emissions from manure slurry and cattle housed in barns and feedlots. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)