Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3215
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3215
04 Sep 2025
 | 04 Sep 2025
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).

Atmospheric CO2 dynamics in a coastal megacity: spatiotemporal patterns, sea-land breeze impacts, and anthropogenic-biogenic emission partitioning

Jinwen Zhang, Yongjian Liang, Chenglei Pei, Bo Huang, Yingyan Huang, Xiufeng Lian, Shaojie Song, Chunlei Cheng, Cheng Wu, Zhen Zhou, Junjie Li, and Mei Li

Abstract. Accurate quantification of urban carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is essential for evaluating the efficacy of urban climate mitigation policies. However, the complex interplay of anthropogenic emissions, biogenic fluxes, and meteorological processes in coastal megacities poses significant challenges to characterizing urban CO2 dynamics. To address this, we present an observation-based framework that integrates high-precision CO2 monitoring, meteorological analyses, and ΔCO/ΔCO2 ratios (Rco) to resolve spatiotemporal CO2 variations, quantify sea-land breeze (SLB) effects, and partition anthropogenic and biogenic contributions. Applied in Guangzhou, a coastal megacity, our approach captures a pronounced urban–rural gradient. The coastal site shows the largest seasonal amplitude (25.63 ppm), resulting from wintertime transport of urban emissions and summertime inflow of marine air. Diurnally, suburban CO2 variations are dominated by biogenic activity (summer amplitude: 39.90 ppm), while urban signals reflect anthropogenic influence. SLB generally reduces coastal CO2 by 5.87 ppm but leads to a summer accumulation (+2.08 ppm) under stable, low-wind conditions with shallow boundary layers. Regression-derived Rco values (urban: 7.45 ± 1.38 ppb ppm⁻1) reflect improved combustion efficiency linked to clean-air policies. Importantly, our combined observational, modeling, and Rco framework reveals that biogenic fluxes offset 60.17 % of anthropogenic CO2 emissions during summer afternoons. The framework is validated against emission inventories, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data, and independent studies, demonstrating its robustness. This study enhances process-oriented understanding of coastal carbon cycling and underscores the integration of meteorological and biospheric dynamics in urban CO2 assessments.

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Jinwen Zhang, Yongjian Liang, Chenglei Pei, Bo Huang, Yingyan Huang, Xiufeng Lian, Shaojie Song, Chunlei Cheng, Cheng Wu, Zhen Zhou, Junjie Li, and Mei Li

Status: open (until 16 Oct 2025)

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Jinwen Zhang, Yongjian Liang, Chenglei Pei, Bo Huang, Yingyan Huang, Xiufeng Lian, Shaojie Song, Chunlei Cheng, Cheng Wu, Zhen Zhou, Junjie Li, and Mei Li
Jinwen Zhang, Yongjian Liang, Chenglei Pei, Bo Huang, Yingyan Huang, Xiufeng Lian, Shaojie Song, Chunlei Cheng, Cheng Wu, Zhen Zhou, Junjie Li, and Mei Li

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Short summary
Inadequate characterization of carbon dioxide (CO2) dynamics limits understanding of coastal megacity carbon cycles. Using a novel framework integrating high-precision observations, this study reveals nonlinear sea–land breeze effects, quantifies urban vegetation’s role in CO2 budgets, and tracks policy-driven combustion efficiency via declining ΔCO/ΔCO2 ratios, offering new insights into coastal CO2 cycling.
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