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TES megacity measurements identify large biomass burning contribution to urban pollution

The suite of TES observations allows quantification of the impact of seasonal biomass burning pollution on the already poor air quality of the world's megacities.

TES megacity measurements show peak ozone levels during biomass burning season in Mexico City, Mexico and Lagos, Nigeria. Concomitant biomass burning products (TES carbon monoxide, methanol, formic acid, ammonia) and smoke (from MODIS aerosol optical depth) suggest that nearby fires contribute significantly to urban ozone.

Lagos carbon monoxide, formic acid, and ammonia have higher peak values than Mexico City, but ozone is lower. These differences in chemical regime are being investigated.

Methanol and formic acid are more variable in Lagos than Mexico City, likely due to large sources of volatile organic compounds associated with oil and gas extraction in the region (Marais et al., 2014).

Mexico City

May biomass burning Emissions : Mexico city

Mexico City: April-May Biomass burning on the Yucatan Peninsula

Lagos

Lagos :  Feb biomass burning emissions in Central Africa

Lagos: December-March Biomass burning in Central Africa


April 2015