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Earth Science

SATELLITE MEASUREMENTS OF ETHYLENE FROM BIOGENIC
SURFACE EMISSIONS

Can we use new and current Earth atmospheric models to simulate a near surface detection of the trace gas ethylene (C2H4)? C2H4 levels in the troposphere are important to study because it reacts with the ozone molecule and turns into carbon monoxide. This depletes ozone, hence lowering protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and increasing the harmful pollutant of carbon monoxide. New instruments, such as the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) on-board the Suomi-NPP Satellite, promise a higher signal-to-noise threshold, to be able better to detect surface emission of ethylene.

Models

We compared two global atmospheric models, GEOS chem (focused on ethylene) and MOPPIT (focused on carbon monoxide) to confirm that there was a correlation with a spike in ethylene emissions and a simultaneous increase on carbon monoxide emission in the south asian regions. This was also confirmed in the other regions of the globe.

(a) GEOS-Chem model indicating highest estimated global average emissions in ppbv of C2H4 primarily in the South Asian regions. (b) MOPPITT map showing highest elevated levels of CO in 2013 for month of March, indicating a co-location between the same time periods of global CO and C2H4 emissions.
  • Results for TES instrument on-board the AURA satellite.
TES simulated brightness temperature difference plot. The red dashed line shows the TES instrument noise at 0.15K. The noise is 3 times higher than the C2H4 signal, indicating that at least 9 footprints are needed to equal a S/N of 1. This would require more passes of the specific regions to obtain a higher measurement accuracy.
AURA Satellite with onboard TES instrument (courtesy of NASA)
  • Results for CrIS instrument on-board the Suomi-NPP Satellite.
CrIS simulated brightness temperature difference plot. The blue-dashed line shows CrIS thermal noise equal to 0.04K. This is S/N ratio of 1, indicating a single footprint of observation is needed to detect C2H4 signal. A more accurate detection threshold.
Suomi NPP Satellite (courtesy NASA)

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