Scientists from various research institutions, including VU Amsterdam, are launching a three-week study with a view to optimising the use of atmospheric measurements. The ultimate aim is to monitor the planned reduction of urban greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution as part of the Netherlands’ energy transition the coming years. Rotterdam is an interesting test case for the researchers because of its wide variety of sources.
The measurement period will run from 22 August to 9 September. The study forms part of the Ruisdael Observatory, a nationwide platform for measuring and modelling the atmosphere. Urban emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollution are currently estimated on the basis of calculations, and emissions reports issued by companies themselves. Air quality is monitored by the national air quality monitoring network. That network is not designed for determining emissions. Additional measurements are therefore required to determine urban emissions from atmospheric measurements. To be sure that planned emission reductions are being achieved in the real world - and not just on paper - it is essential to assess the accuracy of the calculations used by taking independent measurements. The campaign has been timed to coincide with a period when many urban activities pick up momentum after the relatively quiet holiday period. The scientists hope to see this reflected in their measurements.
A new spatial view
Rotterdam city centre and the Port of Rotterdam are known to be major sources of greenhouse gases and air pollution. In addition to extra measuring instruments at the fixed measuring stations in the region, cars, bicycles, a trailer and two aircraft will also be deployed as part of the campaign in an effort to map these sources as effectively as possible. But that’s not all. Satellite instruments will also be watching from space, including the Dutch TROPOMI instrument, which focuses on air pollution, and the NASA OCO-3 instrument for measuring carbon dioxide.
Sander Houweling, VU Amsterdam earth scientist and coordinator of the campaign fills in the details: “During the campaign, VU researchers will measure greenhouse gases using the same methods as the satellites, but with higher accuracy and spatial resolution from the ground. This will allow us to evaluate the performance of existing satellites and to determine the measurement requirements for future satellites designed to monitor urban greenhouse gas emissions.” The measurements will also be used to improve detailed models of urban greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
Ruisdael Observatory
The Ruisdael Observatory is a scientific consortium set up to enable more accurate and detailed forecasts of weather and air quality. It is a collaborative effort involving researchers from the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute KNMI, RIVM, Utrecht University, the University of Groningen, VU Amsterdam, Wageningen University & Research, TNO and TU Delft, which also fulfils a coordinating role. The consortium is funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
The Rotterdam campaign does not exist in isolation. It forms part of two Europe-wide projects: RI-Urbans and ICOS Cities. Similar studies are being conducted in cities across Europe this summer and autumn, including Paris, Bucharest and Milan.