Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2023-193
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2023-193
20 Sep 2023
 | 20 Sep 2023
Status: this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors.

A Modified Gaussian Plume Model for Mobile in situ Greenhouse Gas Measurements

Lawson David Gillespie, Sébastien Ars, James Phillip Williams, Louise Klotz, Tianjie Feng, Stephanie Gu, Mishaal Kandapath, Amy Mann, Michael Raczkowski, Mary Kang, Felix Vogel, and Debra Wunch

Abstract. Atmospheric methane measurements are important for evaluating high resolution methane inventories and monitoring emissions reductions. Despite recent international efforts to harmonize measurement methodologies and techniques, currently there are no standardized or internationally accepted techniques for estimating emissions from mobile in situ concentration measurements. We present measurements from two different mobile in situ methane laboratories, and compare emission rates calculated from four Gaussian plume Bayesian optimal estimation strategies and a statistical algorithm. For mobile transects from the slower flow-rate instrument, we find a significant asymmetric smoothing artifact. The effect of this asymmetry is most significant for short transects of small (0–50 kg CH4 day−1), nearby methane sources, where the plume crossing time is comparable to the mean residence time of the instrument. We develop a model of this effect, demonstrate how this model can be applied to Gaussian plume inversions, and describe its limitations. We use these results to compute emissions rate estimates for two methane sources from Toronto’s wastewater management system to demonstrate the use and limitations of Gaussian plume inversions to quantify methane emissions in an urban environment. Overall, we highlight the importance of using observed plume enhancement areas rather than the more commonly used enhancement heights for determining comparable emissions estimates between different mobile laboratories.

This preprint has been withdrawn.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Lawson David Gillespie, Sébastien Ars, James Phillip Williams, Louise Klotz, Tianjie Feng, Stephanie Gu, Mishaal Kandapath, Amy Mann, Michael Raczkowski, Mary Kang, Felix Vogel, and Debra Wunch

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on amt-2023-193', Anonymous Referee #1, 27 Oct 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on amt-2023-193', Anonymous Referee #2, 31 Oct 2023
  • EC1: 'Comment on amt-2023-193', Huilin Chen, 09 Nov 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on amt-2023-193', Anonymous Referee #1, 27 Oct 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on amt-2023-193', Anonymous Referee #2, 31 Oct 2023
  • EC1: 'Comment on amt-2023-193', Huilin Chen, 09 Nov 2023
Lawson David Gillespie, Sébastien Ars, James Phillip Williams, Louise Klotz, Tianjie Feng, Stephanie Gu, Mishaal Kandapath, Amy Mann, Michael Raczkowski, Mary Kang, Felix Vogel, and Debra Wunch

Data sets

GTA Bike Surveys - Summer 2018 - Calibrated data Debra Wunch, Colin Arrowsmith, Sébastien Ars, Emily Knuckey, Nasrin Mostafavi Pak, Jaden L. Phillips https://doi.org/10.5683/SP2/U5CVFZ

GTA Bike Surveys - Summer 2019 - Uncalibrated data Sébastien Ars, Juliette Lavoie, Rica Cruz, Cameron Macdonald, Genevieve Beauregard, Liz Cunningham, Debra Wunch https://doi.org/10.5683/SP2/SBIZ1F

GTA Bike Surveys - Summer 2020 - Calibrated data Lawson Gillespie, Sébastien Ars, Tianjie Feng, Nasrin Mostafavi Pak, and Debra Wunch https://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/JEIZIF

GTA Bike Surveys - Summer 2021 - Calibrated data Lawson Gillespie, Sébastien Ars, Michael Raczkowski, Nasrin Mostafavi Pak, and Debra Wunch https://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/ZGMAI7

GTA Bike Surveys - Summer 2022 - Calibrated data Lawson Gillespie, Sébastien Ars, Mishaal Kandapath, Stephanie Gu, Amy Mann, Nasrin Mostafavi Pak, and Debra Wunch https://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/PGAIV7

Lawson David Gillespie, Sébastien Ars, James Phillip Williams, Louise Klotz, Tianjie Feng, Stephanie Gu, Mishaal Kandapath, Amy Mann, Michael Raczkowski, Mary Kang, Felix Vogel, and Debra Wunch

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This preprint has been withdrawn.

Short summary
We investigate techniques for calculating emissions from mobile in situ gas concentrations recorded during downwind plume transects. We find that using the enhancement area to estimate emissions is the most consistent method when comparing different setups and instruments. Observations from a multi year urban methane survey and controlled release experiment are analyzed, and emissions rates for combined sewage overflow basins and a large wastewater treatment plant in Toronto are calculated.