Spatiotemporal Variations of NO2 over Fukuoka Japan, Observed by Multiple MAX-DOAS and 3-D Coherent Doppler Lidar

To clarify three-dimensional (3-D) spatiotemporal variations and horizontal-vertical transport processes in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) over urban areas, combined NO2 profile observations by multiple Multi AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) and direct wind observations by 3-D coherent Doppler lidar were made over an urban area in Japan. MAX-DOAS measurements were conducted at Yakuin and Fukuoka University in Fukuoka urban area with high temporal resolution of four minutes. Enhanced NO2 concentrations were often observed over the city center. We conducted a case study on 29 November 2018 under clear sky conditions and NO2 profiles were well retrieved. Using MAX-DOAS at two locations, high NO2 concentrations were observed near the surface of the city center in the morning. Higher NO2 concentrations appearing gradually at higher altitudes over the city center and disappearing in the afternoon are explained using direct evidence of a 3-D wind field: an airmass with a high NO2 concentration was transported upward over the city center. Then, the airmass was advected landward by a sea breeze. Multiple MAX-DOAS combined with 3-D Doppler lidar constitutes a powerful tool for elucidating horizontal-vertical transport processes. It can contribute to the improvement of data retrieval by satellites for urban areas.