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TROPOMI-derived NO2 emissions from copper/cobalt mining and other industrial activities in the Copperbelt (DRC and Zambia)
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  • Sara Martinez-Alonso,
  • Pepijn Veefkind,
  • Barbara Klara Dix,
  • Benjamin Gaubert,
  • Nicolas Theys,
  • Claire Granier,
  • Antonin Soulié,
  • Sabine Darras,
  • Henk Eskes,
  • Wenfu Tang,
  • Helen M. Worden,
  • Joost A de Gouw,
  • Pieternel F Levelt
Sara Martinez-Alonso
National Center for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Pepijn Veefkind
Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute
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Barbara Klara Dix
University of Colorado Boulder
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Benjamin Gaubert
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
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Nicolas Theys
Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB)
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Claire Granier
NOAA Aeronomy Laboratory
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Antonin Soulié
Université de Toulouse
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Sabine Darras
Observatoire Midi-Pyrenees
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Henk Eskes
Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute
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Wenfu Tang
NCAR
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Helen M. Worden
National Center for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
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Joost A de Gouw
University of Colorado Boulder
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Pieternel F Levelt
National Center for Atmospheric Research
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Abstract

We have analyzed TROPOMI data over the Copperbelt mining region (Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia). Despite high background values, we find that annual 2019-2022 means of TROPOMI NO2 show local enhancements consistent with six point sources (mines and cities) where high-emission industrial activities take place. We have quantified annual NO2 emissions for the six sources, identified temporal trends in these emissions, and found strong correlations with mine/refinery production data. CAMS-GLOB-ANT v5 inventory emissions are lower than TROPOMI-derived emissions by 61-96 % and lack the temporal trends observed in TROPOMI and mine/oil refinery production. Lack of TROPOMI SO2 enhancements over the point sources analyzed indicates SO2 capture and transformation into sulfuric acid, a profitable byproduct. These results demonstrate the potential for satellite monitoring of mining/oil refining activity which impacts the air quality of local communities. This is particularly important for Africa, where mining is increasing aggressively.
21 Apr 2023Submitted to ESS Open Archive
30 Apr 2023Published in ESS Open Archive