Composition and Evolution of Southeast Asian Biomass Burning Trace Gas Emissions during a September 2019 Borneo Burning Event

Abstract:

Biomass burning in Southeast Asia is a major pollutant source contributing to poor air quality throughout the region. Thus, understanding these emissions is critical for predicting and mitigating their health impacts. While there have been many studies reporting ground-based and satellite measurements, regional scale measurements to tie the two together have not been common in this region. The 2019 Cloud, Aerosol and Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment (CAMP²Ex) field campaign examined Southeast Asian regional sources and their effects on aerosol/cloud interactions using a combination of airborne, shipborne, and ground-based measurements. On 16 September, a major biomass burning event primarily located on Borneo was sampled via aircraft in the near-field over the Sulu Sea, while on 17 September, the aged plume from the event was sampled again east of the Philippines over the Philippine Sea. We discuss the emissions from this event, using tracer-tracer ratios (e.g. MCE, NO_y/CO), HYSPLIT back trajectories, and HSRL-2 lidar retrievals to differentiate sources and provide insight into the composition and chemical evolution of the plume. This case study provides a valuable perspective into the accuracy of emission inventories as well as a rare opportunity for satellite validation.