Plume patterns

In this section, we analyse the major plume patterns and review the available data, including HYSPLIT modelling, CSF results, TM results, and IME results.

We identified three distinct plume patterns: two associated with predominantly easterly flow (orbits 09956 and 11332 ) and one, less common, associated with south-westerly flow ( orbit 09445 ). The predominance of easterly winds was previously noted using the Moranbah AWS wind rose (see Figure 5).

Each pattern is examined using the following sequence of steps

1. Meteorological analysis based on manual MSLP charts (product IDX0102) obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology.
2. Assessment of 24-hour AWS observations from Moranbah AWS, using data purchased from the Bureau of Meteorology.
3. Inspection of TROPOMI measurements.
4. Evaluation of HYSPLIT modelling , focusing on air parcels passing over the source between the current TROPOMI overpass and the previous day's image.
5. Assessment of the CSF algorithm , including the validity of its assumptions and results where applicable.
6. Assessment of the TM algorithm , including assumptions and results where applicable.
7. Assessment of the IME algorithm , including assumptions and results where applicable.

As before, the first case is discussed in greater detail to establish the methodology, which is then applied in a more concise form to the remaining two cases.