A black carbon emission data base for atmospheric chemistry and climate studies

A global data base of black carbon emissions to the atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion has been compiled for the use in atmospheric chemistry and climate studies. The resolution provided is at 1{degree} latitude by 1{degree} longitude based on previous work by Matthews, Lemer et al., and Dignon. A more extensive description of the assumptions made and emission factors used in this data base can be found in Penner et al. The original work of Penner et al. provides the emissions inventory data on a 5{degree} by 5{degree} resolution. The units of emission for this updated version of the inventory yield a global total of 12.6 TgC/y and are given as the mass in metric tons of carbon for each 1{degree} x 1{degree} grid. It is important to note that this is not equivalent to a flux, in that the area of the grid boxes vary latitudinally. The emissions are expected to represent the emissions for a typical mid-1980s year. The distribution of emission is based on national totals and then mapped on to the 1{degree} x 1{degree} grid according to the updated population mapping of Logan. A description of this mapping procedure can be found in Dignon