Using multi-satellite observations to constrain ammonia emissions and unlock their potential over open water
Abstract Reducing uncertainty in ammonia ( $$\:\text{N}{\text{H}}_{3}$$ ) emissions, particularly those over open water, which have largely been unexplored, remains a key challenge. This study refines 2019 $$\:\text{N}{\text{H}}_{3}$$ emissions over the south-central United States (SCUS) using inver...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09933-9 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Reducing uncertainty in ammonia ( $$\:\text{N}{\text{H}}_{3}$$ ) emissions, particularly those over open water, which have largely been unexplored, remains a key challenge. This study refines 2019 $$\:\text{N}{\text{H}}_{3}$$ emissions over the south-central United States (SCUS) using inverse modeling technique with Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) data and assesses its impact on inorganic $$\:\text{P}{\text{M}}_{2.5}$$ . We also present a novel assessment of $$\:\text{N}{\text{H}}_{3}$$ emissions constrained by Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) and CrIS datasets both individually and combined. For the first time, we demonstrate the potential of refining $$\:\text{N}{\text{H}}_{3}$$ emissions over open water using satellite data, specifically over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico (NWGOM). Annual posterior NH₃ emissions exceeded prior estimates over SCUS by 1.43 GgNa−1 (2.5-fold), raising average concentrations by 2.9 ppb (3.4-fold), particularly in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, and increasing levels of particulate ammonium (1.26-fold), sulfate (1.01-fold), and nitrate (2-fold). Combined IASI/CrIS outperformed individual datasets when compared with surface measurements. Over NWGOM, average $$\:\text{N}{\text{H}}_{3}$$ concentrations increased significantly by 1.4 ppb, predominantly driven by biological nitrogen fixation. This study highlights the potential of satellite data to refine $$\:\text{N}{\text{H}}_{3}$$ emissions over open water and emphasizes the role of multi-satellite datasets and high-resolution regional inverse modeling in improving air quality forecasts and global emission estimates. |
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| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |