Library
home (Home) TU Delft Repository login Login

S-5P/TROPOMI-Derived NOx Emissions From Copper/Cobalt Mining and Other Industrial Activities in the Copperbelt (Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia)

Journal Article (2023)
Author(s)

S. Martínez-Alonso (National Center for Atmospheric Research)

J. P. Veefkind (TU Delft - Atmospheric Remote Sensing, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI))

B. Dix (University of Colorado - Boulder)

B. Gaubert (National Center for Atmospheric Research)

N. Theys (Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB))

C. Granier (University of Toulouse UPS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, University of Colorado - Boulder)

A. Soulié (University of Toulouse UPS)

S. Darras (Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées)

P. F. Levelt (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), TU Delft - Atmospheric Remote Sensing, National Center for Atmospheric Research)

Research Group
Atmospheric Remote Sensing
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL104109
More Info
expand_more
Publication Year
2023
Language
English
Research Group
Atmospheric Remote Sensing
Issue number
19
Volume number
50
Article number
e2023GL104109
Downloads counter
175
Collections
Institutional Repository
Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Abstract

We have analyzed Sentinel-5 Precursor TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) data over the Copperbelt mining region (Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia). Despite high background values, annual 2019–2022 means of TROPOMI NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) show local enhancements consistent with six point sources (four copper/cobalt mines, two cities) where high-emission industrial activities take place. We have quantified annual NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions from these point sources, identified temporal trends in emissions, and found strong correlations with production data from colocated mines and one oil refinery. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service Global Anthropogenic (CAMS-GLOB-ANT) version 5 inventory underpredicts TROPOMI-derived emissions and lacks the temporal trends observed in TROPOMI and mine/refinery production. These results demonstrate the potential for satellite monitoring of mining and other industrial activities, often unreported or underestimated, which impact the air quality of local communities. This is particularly important for Africa, where mining is increasing aggressively.