Mapping \(\text {NO}_{\text {x}}\) emissions in Cyprus using TROPOMI observations: evaluation of the flux-divergence scheme using multiple parameter sets

Abstract

The production of nitrogen oxides (NO\(_{\text {x}}\) = NO + NO\(_2\)) is substantial in urban areas and from fossil fuel-fired power plants, causing both local and regional pollution, with severe consequences for human health. To estimate their emissions and implement air quality policies, authorities often rely on reported emission inventories. The island of Cyprus is de facto divided into two different political entities, and as a result, such emissions inventories are not systematically available for the whole island. We map NO\(_{\text {x}}\) emissions in Cyprus for two 6-month periods in 2021 and 2022 with a flux-divergence scheme, using spaceborne retrievals of nitrogen dioxide (NO\(_2\)) columns at high spatial resolution from the TROPOMI instrument, as well as horizontal wind data to derive advection and concentrations of OH, NO, and NO\(_2\) to derive chemical processes. Emissions are estimated under three different sets of parameters using ECMWF data and WRF-Chem simulations. These sets are chosen for their differences in spatial resolution and representation of wind and air composition. Exploiting the low emissions in Cyprus, we show that the flux-divergence method is limited by the resolution of wind and hydroxyl radical, the signal-to-noise ratio of the observed tropospheric column densities, and the NO\(_{\text {x}}\):NO\(_2\) ratio above the main pollution sources. Such limitations lead to large discrepancies in the emissions calculated with the three different sets of parameters, making it difficult to estimate NO\(_{\text {x}}\) emissions for the five power plants of the island without high uncertainties. Nevertheless, the obtained emissions display a higher seasonality than reported or inventory emissions. For the two power plants in the south, the different mean daytime output estimates appear to be significantly higher than the bottom-up estimates. They are also higher than those from the power plants in the south combined, despite a much lower production capacity, illustrating the application of different environmental norms and the use of different technologies and fuels in the two parts of Cyprus.