Optimizing an inverse method to deduce time-varying emissions of trace gases

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

D. E. Haas-Laursen; D. E. Hartley; R. G. Prinn

Source:

Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Volume 101, Issue D17, p.22823 - 22831 (1996)

ISBN:

2156-2202

URL:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/96JD02018/abstract

Keywords:

Biosphere/atmosphere interactions, General or miscellaneous, Troposphere: composition and chemistry

Abstract:

In previous work, an inverse method based on the Kalman filter was used to deduce regional emissions for chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-11) in a global chemical transport model [Hartley, 1992; Hartley and Prinn, 1993]. CFC-11 has reasonably constant emissions over the years we addressed; however, most trace gases with poorly constrained global budgets (i.e. CO2, CH4, and N2O) have seasonally varying sources and sinks. The goal of this work is to explore various adaptations that exist in Kalman filter theory and to identify the optimum method for deducing time-varying sources/sinks. To make this study feasible in both computer time and cost, we utilize a simplified atmospheric chemical transport model to investigate the methodology. We test many available adaptations in Kalman filter theory and conclude that the most accurate method is to use an adaptive-iterative approach [Young, 1984; Sastri, 1985; Bellgardt et al., 1986].