Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1977
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1977
05 Jun 2025
 | 05 Jun 2025

Leveraging TROPOMI observations and WRF-GHG modeling to improve methane emission assessments in India

Thara Anna Mathew, Dhanyalekshmi Pillai, Jithin Sukumaran, Monish Vijay Deshpande, Michael Buchwitz, Oliver Schneising, Vishnu Thilakan, Aparnna Ravi, Sanjid Backer Kanakkassery, Sivarajan Sijikumar, Imran A. Girach, and S. Suresh Babu

Abstract. Atmospheric methane (CH4) contributes to global warming and climate change. Multiple factors control its atmospheric growth rate, posing challenges for climate change mitigation in regions with limited observations, like India. In this study, we examine the potential of dry air column methane mixing ratio (XCH4) observations from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) in conjunction with the high-resolution Weather Research Forecast model with Greenhouse Gas module (WRF-GHG) to improve the annual CH4 budget of India. Our analysis demonstrates the potential of WRF-GHG to represent the atmospheric XCH4 and CH4 distributions, including seasonal patterns, albeit with non-negligible uncertainties when compared with satellite and ground-based observations for 2018 and 2019. We find that the WRF-GHG simulations overestimate the XCH4 and underestimate the near-surface CH4 distributions. Our first-order inversion analyses report annual CH4 emissions ranging from 23.3 to 25.2 Tg with an uncertainty of 3.3 Tg (anthropogenic sources), showing that the current global emission inventories overestimate CH4 emissions considerably. Our estimates are approximately 19 % higher than those in the India Fourth Biennial Update Report (19.6 Tg) and close to the latest Global Methane Budget 2000–2020 (21.7 Tg). Overall, this study demonstrates the usefulness of TROPOMI observations for assessing Indian CH4 emissions and shows a way to improve our understanding of how regional processes can modulate atmospheric CH4 mixing ratios. We highlight the need for expanded observational coverage and an improved carbon assimilation system over India to refine the methane budget in support of global climate goals.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

01 Apr 2026
Leveraging TROPOMI observations and WRF-GHG modeling towards improving methane emission assessments in India
Thara Anna Mathew, Dhanyalekshmi Pillai, Jithin Sukumaran, Monish Vijay Deshpande, Michael Buchwitz, Oliver Schneising, Vishnu Thilakan, Aparnna Ravi, Sanjid Backer Kanakkassery, Advaith J. Vinod, Sivarajan Sijikumar, Imran A. Girach, and S. Suresh Babu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 4453–4477, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-4453-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-4453-2026, 2026
Short summary
Thara Anna Mathew, Dhanyalekshmi Pillai, Jithin Sukumaran, Monish Vijay Deshpande, Michael Buchwitz, Oliver Schneising, Vishnu Thilakan, Aparnna Ravi, Sanjid Backer Kanakkassery, Sivarajan Sijikumar, Imran A. Girach, and S. Suresh Babu

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1977', Anonymous Referee #1, 30 Jun 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Thara Anna Mathew, 29 Oct 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1977', Anonymous Referee #2, 04 Sep 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Thara Anna Mathew, 29 Oct 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1977', Anonymous Referee #1, 30 Jun 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Thara Anna Mathew, 29 Oct 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1977', Anonymous Referee #2, 04 Sep 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Thara Anna Mathew, 29 Oct 2025

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
AR by Thara Anna Mathew on behalf of the Authors (30 Oct 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (30 Oct 2025) by Bryan N. Duncan
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (03 Dec 2025)
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (03 Dec 2025) by Bryan N. Duncan
AR by Thara Anna Mathew on behalf of the Authors (29 Jan 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (29 Jan 2026) by Bryan N. Duncan
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (04 Mar 2026)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (04 Mar 2026) by Bryan N. Duncan
AR by Thara Anna Mathew on behalf of the Authors (05 Mar 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (20 Mar 2026) by Bryan N. Duncan
AR by Thara Anna Mathew on behalf of the Authors (21 Mar 2026)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

01 Apr 2026
Leveraging TROPOMI observations and WRF-GHG modeling towards improving methane emission assessments in India
Thara Anna Mathew, Dhanyalekshmi Pillai, Jithin Sukumaran, Monish Vijay Deshpande, Michael Buchwitz, Oliver Schneising, Vishnu Thilakan, Aparnna Ravi, Sanjid Backer Kanakkassery, Advaith J. Vinod, Sivarajan Sijikumar, Imran A. Girach, and S. Suresh Babu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 4453–4477, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-4453-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-4453-2026, 2026
Short summary
Thara Anna Mathew, Dhanyalekshmi Pillai, Jithin Sukumaran, Monish Vijay Deshpande, Michael Buchwitz, Oliver Schneising, Vishnu Thilakan, Aparnna Ravi, Sanjid Backer Kanakkassery, Sivarajan Sijikumar, Imran A. Girach, and S. Suresh Babu
Thara Anna Mathew, Dhanyalekshmi Pillai, Jithin Sukumaran, Monish Vijay Deshpande, Michael Buchwitz, Oliver Schneising, Vishnu Thilakan, Aparnna Ravi, Sanjid Backer Kanakkassery, Sivarajan Sijikumar, Imran A. Girach, and S. Suresh Babu

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Short summary
India poses a significant methane emission burden, but limited observations challenge accurate national estimations. This study combines satellite retrievals, ground measurements, and models to improve India’s 2018–2019 methane budget. Derived emissions are higher than national reports but lower than global inventories. The findings highlight the potential of satellite instruments to report emissions accurately. Expanded methane monitoring is vital for meeting climate change mitigation targets.
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