Estimation of Amazon Greenhouse Gas balances from atmospheric concentrations using inverse modelling of atmospheric transport with TOMCAT model

• Grant number: 19/23654-2
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Vanni Gatti
• Grantee: Luana Santamaria Basso
• Supervisor abroad: Emanuel Gloor
• Home Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações e Comunicações (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Local de pesquisa : University of Leeds, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 18/14006-4 - Estimation of Amazon Greenhouse Gas balances from atmospheric concentrations using inverse modelling of atmospheric transport, BP.PD

Abstract

This BEPE proposal is linked to the candidate's Postdoctoral project (2018/18493-7) that is already in progress. The scientific goal of this main project is to estimate GHG balances of the Amazon over a period of approximately one decade and to relate the observed inter-annual variation to climate anomalies, climate change and human alteration of the land surface. In general, this approach consists of measuring GHG concentrations using vertical aircraft profiles in Amazon. From the concentration gradients of this region the GHG fluxes can then be estimated. A more accurate approach to emission/absorption contributions across the study region is possible if we can model atmospheric transport. The aim of this project therefore is to include Amazon vertical profile measurements in the inverse transport model of the TOMCAT 3D atmospheric transport model. The main goal using this tool will be to estimate the Amazon GHG fluxes since 2010 and possibly understand the major variables that contribute to these balances. This BEPE proposal will support the execution of the Postdoctoral post helping the candidate to establish the TOMCAT transport forward and inverse model, which was developed and is constantly improved at Leeds University, at the laboratory of Dr. Luciana Gatti and to apply it to the GHG concentration data from the Amazon. Considering that the TOMCAT model is currently run only at the University of Leeds, will be a necessary as next step to work together with Dr. Emanuel Gloor and the model development group in Leeds, UK, Drs. Chris Wilson and Martyn Chipperfield. The stay of the candidate at Leeds for 1 year will allow her to work in partnership with this group and to train her in the execution and application of the model, in addition to establishing the needs for the subsequent installation of the model in LaGEE, located at INPE in São José Campos, as proposed in the Postdoctoral initial project objectives.