Measurements and modeling of CH4 and CO2 in the Boston Metro area and Northeastern Megalopolis

We describe a multiscale measurement network and model-data analysis framework for the Boston Metro region, with extension to the mid-Atlantic urban corridor. Observations include a network of automated concentrations of CO2 and CH4 inside and outside the urban domain, near the surface, on towers and tall buildings, total column measurements using the sun as a source, aerosol lidar data defining atmospheric structure, and meteorological data. The model-data analysis framework includes high resolution WRF fields for meteorology, detailed representation of surface sources down to the street and building level, the STILT Lagrangian Particle Dispersion model, and an inversion framework. We show examples of data and discuss considerations of sampling design for the observation network, including extension to the NE urban corridor. We also present examples of inverse analysis assessing anthropogenic emission rates for CH4 and CO2 in the urban region of metro Boston and along the urban-rural gradient.