Dispersion and Transport of Carbon Monoxide (CO) in West Africa: An Analysis of Biomass Burning and Gas Flaring Contributions

This study presents an in-depth analysis of the dispersion and transport of carbon monoxide (CO) in West Africa, with a specific focus on the contributions from biomass burning and gas flaring activities. Utilizing data from the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED4s) for biomass burning and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) for CO concentrations, the research examines the seasonality of air pollution. The NAME atmospheric dispersion model was employed to trace CO sources and their movement patterns. The findings highlight the dual impact of biomass burning inland and gas flaring offshore, particularly in Angola, on CO levels. Notably, emissions from gas flaring were found to significantly affect CO concentrations along the West African coast, especially during periods of lower wind speeds and dispersion rates. The study underscores the necessity of incorporating gas flaring emissions into atmospheric models to accurately simulate air pollution in the region. This comprehensive approach enhances the understanding of CO distribution and its environmental impacts, emphasizing the critical need for improved emission inventories and modeling techniques to address air pollution in West Africa.