Anthropogenic and biogenic CO 2 fluxes in the Boston urban region

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1803715115
• Publication Date: 2018-07-02T19:22:07Z
• Authors: Maryann Sargent; Yanina Barrera; Thomas Nehrkorn; Lucy R. Hutyra; Conor K. Gately; Taylor Jones; Kathryn McKain; Colm Sweeney; Jennifer Hegarty; Brady Hardiman; Jonathan A. Wang; Steven C. Wofsy
• Keywords: Emission inventory; Atmospheric emissions

With the pending withdrawal of United States from Paris Climate Accord, cities are now leading US actions toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Implementing effective mitigation strategies requires ability to measure and track emissions over time at various scales. We report CO2 in Boston, MA, urban region September 2013 December 2014 based on atmospheric observations an inverse model framework. Continuous measurements five sites around Boston were combined with a high-resolution bottom-up emission inventory Lagrangian particle dispersion determine regional Our model-measurement framework incorporates estimates submodels for both anthropogenic biological fluxes, development concentration curtain boundary study combination tower modeled vertical gradients. demonstrate that high spatial temporal resolution inclusion fluxes essential accurately modeling annual using surface measurement networks. calculated average 0.92 kg C·m-2·y-1 (95% confidence interval: 0.79 1.06), which is 14% higher than Anthropogenic Carbon Emissions System inventory. Based capability approach demonstrated here, our should be able detect changes greater 18%, providing stakeholders critical information assess efforts surrounding areas.