Atmosphere

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25 pages, 12518 KiB

Open AccessArticle

GIS-Based Approach to Spatio-Temporal Interpolation of Atmospheric CO₂ Concentrations in Limited Monitoring Dataset

by Yaroslav Bezyk, Izabela Sówka, Maciej Górka and Jan Blachowski

Atmosphere 2021, 12(3), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12030384 - 15 Mar 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5078

Understanding the magnitude and distribution of the mixes of the near-ground carbon dioxide (CO₂) components spatially (related to the surface characteristics) and temporally (over seasonal timescales) is critical to evaluating present and future climate impacts. Thus, the application of in situ [...] Read more.

Understanding the magnitude and distribution of the mixes of the near-ground carbon dioxide (CO₂) components spatially (related to the surface characteristics) and temporally (over seasonal timescales) is critical to evaluating present and future climate impacts. Thus, the application of in situ measurement approaches, combined with the spatial interpolation methods, will help to explore variations in source contribution to the total CO₂ mixing ratios in the urban atmosphere. This study presents the spatial characteristic and temporal trend of atmospheric CO₂ levels observed within the city of Wroclaw, Poland for the July 2017–August 2018 period. The seasonal variability of atmospheric CO₂ around the city was directly measured at the selected sites using flask sampling with a Picarro G2201-I Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) technique. The current work aimed at determining the accuracy of the interpolation techniques and adjusting the interpolation parameters for estimating the magnitude of CO₂ time series/seasonal variability in terms of limited observations during the vegetation and non-vegetation periods. The objective was to evaluate how different interpolation methods will affect the assessment of air pollutant levels in the urban environment and identify the optimal sampling strategy. The study discusses the schemes for optimization of the interpolation results that may be adopted in areas where no observations are available, which is based on the kriging error predictions for an appropriate spatial density of measurement locations. Finally, the interpolation results were extended regarding the average prediction bias by exploring additional experimental configurations and introducing the limitation of the future sampling strategy on the seasonal representation of the CO₂ levels in the urban area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Gases Monitoring, Inventory, and Modelling Studies in Poland)

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13 pages, 1852 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Decarbonization Scenarios on Air Quality and Human Health in Poland—Analysis of Scenarios up to 2050

by Janusz Zyśk, Artur Wyrwa, Wojciech Suwała, Marcin Pluta, Tadeusz Olkuski and Maciej Raczyński

Atmosphere 2020, 11(11), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11111222 - 13 Nov 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2820

Abstract

Poland faces two great challenges in the field of environment and atmosphere protection: improving air quality, especially by reducing particulate matter (PM) emissions, and reducing relatively high greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this research was to investigate how the fuel and technological [...] Read more.

Poland faces two great challenges in the field of environment and atmosphere protection: improving air quality, especially by reducing particulate matter (PM) emissions, and reducing relatively high greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this research was to investigate how the fuel and technological transformations in the power, road transport, and household and tertiary sectors aimed at reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in Poland would affect air quality, human health, and the associated external costs. The study was conducted for 2050 while considering 2015 as the base year. Ambient PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 µm) concentration was used as a proxy air quality indicator. The analysis was based on decarbonization scenarios developed within the REFLEX Project (Analysis of the European energy system under the aspects of flexibility and technological progress). The three scenarios of the REFLEX Project focused on the reduction of CO₂ emissions up to 2050 from various sectors, mainly by the means of fuel and technological switches. This also led to the changes in the emission levels of pollutants that directly affect air quality, which were calculated with the use of fuel- and technology-specific emission factors. Next, for each emission scenario, ambient concentrations of PM2.5 and others pollutants were calculated with the use of the Polyphemus—an Eulerian-type air quality modelling system. Subsequently, the health impact of population exposed to air pollution and associated external costs were calculated using the πESA (Platform for Integrated Energy System Analysis) platform. The health impacts considered were the number of years of life lost, restricted activity days, and number of chronic bronchitis cases. The results showed that the largest reductions in both greenhouse gas and PM emissions—and consequently improvements of air quality resulting in a decrease of negative impacts on human health and a decrease of external costs—can be achieved by the transformation of heat production in the household and tertiary sector. The results also showed that the decrease in PM2.5 emissions envisaged in the analyzed scenarios in 2050 will lead to a reduction in the number of lost years of life by about 35 thousand and an avoidance of external costs by EUR 2.4 billion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Gases Monitoring, Inventory, and Modelling Studies in Poland)

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11 pages, 2692 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimating Methane Emissions from a Dairy Farm Using a Computer Program

by Bożena Nowakowicz-Dębek, Łukasz Wlazło, Agnieszka Szymula, Mateusz Ossowski, Martyna Kasela, Anna Chmielowiec-Korzeniowska and Hanna Bis-Wencel

Atmosphere 2020, 11(8), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11080803 - 30 Jul 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3347

Abstract

The aim of our study was to estimate methane (CH₄) emissions from a dairy cattle farm using a computer application. Emissions of CH₄ in the air were forecast for a representative dairy farm raising Holstein-Friesian cows. The cowshed was equipped [...] Read more.

The aim of our study was to estimate methane (CH₄) emissions from a dairy cattle farm using a computer application. Emissions of CH₄ in the air were forecast for a representative dairy farm raising Holstein-Friesian cows. The cowshed was equipped with a mechanical forced ventilation system with a centrally located ventilation duct. The volume of emissions from the emitter was established, taking into account meteorological conditions. For one year of operation of the emitter, the average annual emission was 1.301 kg/h. The maximum emission of CH₄ was estimated at 3.51 kg/h. These data can be helpful in estimating the environmental burden of a dairy farm and in determining the role of ruminants in global warming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Gases Monitoring, Inventory, and Modelling Studies in Poland)

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18 pages, 2555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban CO₂ Budget: Spatial and Seasonal Variability of CO₂ Emissions in Krakow, Poland

by Alina Jasek-Kamińska, Mirosław Zimnoch, Przemysław Wachniew and Kazimierz Różański

Atmosphere 2020, 11(6), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11060629 - 14 Jun 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2879

Abstract

Krakow, with an area of 327 km² and over 750,000 inhabitants, is one of the largest cities in Poland. Within the administrative city borders several anthropogenic CO₂ source types are located, including car traffic, household coal and natural gas burning, and [...] Read more.

Krakow, with an area of 327 km² and over 750,000 inhabitants, is one of the largest cities in Poland. Within the administrative city borders several anthropogenic CO₂ source types are located, including car traffic, household coal and natural gas burning, and industrial emissions. Additionally, the biosphere produces its own, seasonally variable, input to the local atmospheric carbon budget. In order to quantify each of CO₂ budget contributions to the local atmosphere, a number of analytical and numerical techniques have been implemented. The seasonal variability of CO₂ emission from soils around the city has been directly measured using the chamber method; CO₂ net flux from an area containing several source types has been measured with a relaxed eddy accumulation—a variation of the eddy covariance method. Global emissions inventory, as well as local statistical data have been utilized to assess anthropogenic component of the budget. As other cities where CO₂ budget was quantified, Krakow proved to be a net source of this greenhouse gas, and the calculated annual mean net flux of CO₂ to the atmosphere equal 6.1 kg C m⁻² is consistent with previous estimations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Gases Monitoring, Inventory, and Modelling Studies in Poland)

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12 pages, 1041 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Cultivation of Plants Used for Biofuel Production in Poland

by Paweł Wiśniewski and Mariusz Kistowski

Atmosphere 2020, 11(4), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11040394 - 16 Apr 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2850

Abstract

A reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as well as an increase in the share of renewable energy are the main objectives of EU energy policy. In Poland, biofuels play an important role in the structure of obtaining energy from renewable sources. In [...] Read more.

A reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as well as an increase in the share of renewable energy are the main objectives of EU energy policy. In Poland, biofuels play an important role in the structure of obtaining energy from renewable sources. In the case of biofuels obtained from agricultural raw materials, one of the significant components of emissions generated in their full life cycle is emissions from the cultivation stage. The aim of the study is to estimate and recognize the structure of GHG emission from biomass production in selected farms in Poland. For this purpose, the methodology that was recommended by the Polish certification system of sustainable biofuels and bioliquids production, as approved by the European Commission, was used. The calculated emission values vary between 41.5 kg CO₂eq/t and 147.2 kg CO₂eq/t dry matter. The highest average emissions were obtained for wheat (103.6 kg CO₂eq/t), followed by maize (100.5 kg CO₂eq/t), triticale (95.4 kg CO₂eq/t), and rye (72.5 kg CO₂eq/t). The greatest impact on the total GHG emissions from biomass production is caused by field emissions of nitrous oxide and emissions from the production and transport of fertilizers and agrochemicals. Emissions that were generated at the stage of production, storage, and transport of seeds and during the use of fuels in agricultural and forestry machinery have a significantly smaller share in the total GHG emissions from biomass production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Gases Monitoring, Inventory, and Modelling Studies in Poland)

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14 pages, 3391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Sources and Trends in Agricultural GHG Emissions from Annex I Countries

by Elżbieta Wójcik-Gront

Atmosphere 2020, 11(4), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11040392 - 15 Apr 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3122

Abstract

The vast majority of the scientific community believe that anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the predominant cause of climate change. One of the GHG emission sources is agriculture. Following the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines regarding GHG emission calculation, agriculture [...] Read more.

The vast majority of the scientific community believe that anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the predominant cause of climate change. One of the GHG emission sources is agriculture. Following the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines regarding GHG emission calculation, agriculture is responsible for around 10% of the overall global emissions. Agricultural GHG emissions consist of several emission source categories and several GHGs. In this article were described the results of multivariate statistical analyses performed on data gathered during the period 1990–2017 from the inventories of 43 Annex I countries (parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, listed in Annex I of the Convention). Trends in the agricultural GHG emissions were analyzed. Generally, the global agricultural GHG emissions are increasing, while the emissions from Annex I countries are decreasing. Apart from the application of urea, emissions from all other sources, such as enteric fermentation, manure management, rice cultivation, agricultural soils, field burning of agricultural residues, and liming are decreasing. Based on multivariate analysis, the most different countries, in terms of GHG emission sources composition in agriculture and emission trends, are Australia, Japan, New Zealand and USA. The rest of the Annex I countries are mostly from Europe and their shares and trends are similar, with slight differences between countries depending, among others, on the date of joining the European Union. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Gases Monitoring, Inventory, and Modelling Studies in Poland)

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13 pages, 5191 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Emission of Greenhouse Gases from Road Transport in Poland between 1990 and 2017

by Katarzyna Bebkiewicz, Zdzisław Chłopek, Jakub Lasocki, Krystian Szczepański and Magdalena Zimakowska-Laskowska

Atmosphere 2020, 11(4), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11040387 - 15 Apr 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3035

Abstract

The paper provides the results of the inventory of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from road transport in Poland over the period 1990–2017. To estimate GHGs’ emission from road transport, a standardized methodology was applied, consistent with 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories [...] Read more.

The paper provides the results of the inventory of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from road transport in Poland over the period 1990–2017. To estimate GHGs’ emission from road transport, a standardized methodology was applied, consistent with 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and EEA/EMEP Emission Inventory Guidebook 2019, as well as the COPERT 5 software. In the analysis, emissions of fossil carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide were taken into account. Emissions of all considered GHGs were converted to equivalent carbon dioxide. Throughout the subsequent years of emission inventory, emissions of all GHGs revealed an increasing trend, except for methane. The main cause underlying this increase is the dynamic development of motorization in Poland. Thus, GHGs’ emissions were analyzed, taking into account the number of road vehicles and the intensity of their use. An increase in the average specific distance emission was found for fossil carbon dioxide (by ca. 5%) and for nitrous oxide (by ca. 10%), while for methane, there was a decrease (by more than 150%). The GHGs’ emissions from road transport in Poland could be significantly lower if more emphasis was placed on the use of fuels from renewable energy sources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Gases Monitoring, Inventory, and Modelling Studies in Poland)

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15 pages, 2240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Fluxes of the Greenhouse Gases CH₄ and CO₂ from the Surfaces of Selected Polish Reservoirs

by Renata Gruca-Rokosz

Atmosphere 2020, 11(3), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11030286 - 15 Mar 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3560

Abstract

Research carried out in the years 2009–2011 and 2018–2019 sought to determine the magnitudes of fluxes of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the surfaces of three eutrophic reservoirs in SE Poland. The “static chamber” method was deployed [...] Read more.

Research carried out in the years 2009–2011 and 2018–2019 sought to determine the magnitudes of fluxes of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the surfaces of three eutrophic reservoirs in SE Poland. The “static chamber” method was deployed at five or six stations located along the reservoirs, where the water column at its deepest slightly exceeds 2 m. Obtained values for the fluxes of CH₄ varied across a wide (0–2513.48 mmol·m⁻²·d⁻¹) range, with many of these values therefore exceeding those characteristics for large tropical reservoirs. The reservoirs studied were not found to differ significantly in terms of average CH₄ flux, however. Where obtained values for CO₂ fluxes in the range from −10.96 to 621.69 mmol·m⁻²·d⁻¹ were concerned, most fell within the range given for temperate-zone reservoirs, while differences between reservoirs were noted for average values in this case. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Gases Monitoring, Inventory, and Modelling Studies in Poland)

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