Development of a computational system for estimating biogenic NMVOCs emissions based on GIS technology

A computational system was developed that can be used for the compilation of spatially and temporally resolved biogenic non-methane volatile organic compounds emission inventories. A Geographic Information System was used to integrate a variety of input data including: satellite land use data, land-use specific emission potentials and foliar biomass densities, temperature and solar radiation data. The computational system was implemented focusing on the Balkan Peninsula and a biogenic isoprene, monoterpenes and other volatile organic compounds emission inventory was produced. The inventory has 1 km spatial resolution and is driven by mean climatology. The annual total biogenic non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) emissions over the study area are estimated to be 3769.2 Gg, composed of 36.1% isoprene, 26.8% monoterpenes and 37.1% other volatile organic compounds (OVOCs). Approximately, 94% of annual isoprene emissions are produced from May to September, while this percentage is lower for monoterpenes and OVOCs (70% and 85%, respectively). Vegetation is a strong source of NMVOCs emissions in the study domain. On a country basis, for most of the countries studied, annual biogenic emissions represent a large share of the annual total NMVOCs emissions ranging from 70% to 80%.