Variation of XCO2 anomaly patterns in the Middle East from OCO-2 satellite data

The anthropogenic CO2 emission is contributed to the rapid increase in CO2 concentration. In the current study the anthropogenic CO2 emission in the Middle East (ME) is investigated using 6 years column-averaged CO2 dry air mole fraction (XCO2) observation from Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite. In this way, the XCO2 anomaly (Delta XCO2) as the detrended and deseasonalized term of OCO-2XCO(2) product, was computed and compared to provide the direct space-based anthropogenic CO2 emission monitoring. As a result, the high positive and negative Delta XCO2 values have corresponded to the major sources such as oil and gas industries, and growing seasons over ME, respectively. Consequently, the Open-source Data Inventory for Anthropogenic CO2 (ODIAC) emission and the gross primary productivity (GPP) were utilized in exploring the Delta XCO2 relation with human and natural driving factors. The results showed the capability of Delta XCO2 maps in detecting CO2 emission fluctuations in defined periods were detectible in daily to annual periods. The simplicity and accuracy of the method in detecting the man-made and natural driving factors including the main industrial areas, megacities, or local changes due to COVID-19 pandemic or geopolitical situations as well as the vegetation absorption and biomass burning is the key point that provides the environmental managers and policymakers with valuable and accessible information to control and ultimately reduce the CO2 emission over critical regions.

Automated summary

This study investigates anthropogenic CO2 emissions in the Middle East using satellite observations. By analyzing the anomaly of CO2 concentration, the major sources of CO2 emissions and growing seasons can be identified. The study explores the relationship between CO2 emissions and human and natural driving factors using open-source data and primary productivity data. The Delta XCO2 maps are capable of detecting CO2 emission fluctuations in defined periods, providing valuable information for controlling CO2 emissions in critical regions.