Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2016-1104
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2016-1104
10 Jan 2017
 | 10 Jan 2017
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal ACP. A revision for further review has not been submitted.

Characterisation of Central-African aerosol and trace-gas emissions based on MAX-DOAS measurements and model simulations over Bujumbura, Burundi

Clio Gielen, François Hendrick, Gaia Pinardi, Isabelle De Smedt, Caroline Fayt, Christian Hermans, Trissevgeni Stavrakou, Maite Bauwens, Jean-Francois Müller, Eugène Ndenzako, Pierre Nzohabonayo, Rachel Akimana, Sebastien Niyonzima, Michel Van Roozendael, and Martine De Mazière

Abstract. We present MAX-DOAS measurements of NO2, HCHO, and aerosols performed in Central Africa, in the city of Bujumbura, Burundi (3.38° S, 29.3° E). A MAX-DOAS instrument has been operated at this location by BIRA-IASB since late 2013. Aerosol-extinction and trace-gas vertical profiles are retrieved by applying the optimal-estimation-based profiling tool bePRO to the measured O4, NO2 and HCHO slant-column densities. The MAX-DOAS vertical columns and profiles are used for investigating the diurnal and seasonal cycles of NO2, HCHO, and aerosols. Regarding the aerosols, the retrieved AODs are compared to co-located AERONET sun-photometer measurements for verification purposes, while in the case of NO2 and HCHO, the MAX-DOAS vertical columns and profiles are compared to GOME-2 and OMI satellite observations.

To characterise the biomass-burning and biogenic emissions in the Bujumbura region, the trace gases and aerosol MAX-DOAS retrievals are used in combination with MODIS fire radiative-power values and the tropospheric 3D chemical transport model IMAGES, as well as simulations from the NOAA backward-trajectory model HYSPLIT. The first results show that the aerosol and HCHO seasonal variation is driven by the alternation of rain and dry periods, the latter being associated with intense biomass-burning agricultural activities and forest fires in the south/south-east and transport from this region to Bujumbura. In contrast, NO2 is seen to depend mainly on local emissions close to the city, due to the short lifetime of this species (typically 1–2 hours).

Clio Gielen, François Hendrick, Gaia Pinardi, Isabelle De Smedt, Caroline Fayt, Christian Hermans, Trissevgeni Stavrakou, Maite Bauwens, Jean-Francois Müller, Eugène Ndenzako, Pierre Nzohabonayo, Rachel Akimana, Sebastien Niyonzima, Michel Van Roozendael, and Martine De Mazière
 
Status: closed (peer review stopped)
Status: closed (peer review stopped)
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
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Status: closed (peer review stopped)
Status: closed (peer review stopped)
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Clio Gielen, François Hendrick, Gaia Pinardi, Isabelle De Smedt, Caroline Fayt, Christian Hermans, Trissevgeni Stavrakou, Maite Bauwens, Jean-Francois Müller, Eugène Ndenzako, Pierre Nzohabonayo, Rachel Akimana, Sebastien Niyonzima, Michel Van Roozendael, and Martine De Mazière
Clio Gielen, François Hendrick, Gaia Pinardi, Isabelle De Smedt, Caroline Fayt, Christian Hermans, Trissevgeni Stavrakou, Maite Bauwens, Jean-Francois Müller, Eugène Ndenzako, Pierre Nzohabonayo, Rachel Akimana, Sebastien Niyonzima, Michel Van Roozendael, and Martine De Mazière

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Short summary
In this paper we study the composition of the lower atmosphere above the Central-African capital city of Burundi (Bujumbura) by measuring the amount of aerosol dust particles and trace gases in the air. We find that the aerosol and trace gas seasonal and daily variation is driven by the alternation of rain periods and dry periods associated with intense biomass burning in the vicinity of Bujumbura, and the influence of human activities in the city center.
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