SO2 Emissions Research Articles

Highly efficient recovery of total components from spent hydroprocessing catalysts (HPCs) with minimal CO2 & SO2 emissions.

It is imperative to recover the valuable components of spent HPCs. We have proposed a hydrometallurgical process and recovered 99.9% of V, 99.9% of Mo, and 95% of Al in our previous work. In this study, we focused on the Co and Ni recovery from the alkaline leaching residue of spent HPCs. We characterized the leaching residue by SEM-EDS, XPS, TGA, Laser Particle Size Analyzer, and ICP-OES. The Ni and Co leaching rates both reached around 95% with 2.0mol/L H2SO4 at 120°C for 75min. The impurity of Al in the leachate was removed via solvent extraction with 30% P204 at A/O of 1 and pHequilibrium of 2.0. The Co and Ni in the raffinate was separated via two stages of counter-current extraction with 20% Cyanex 272atA/O of 1 and pHequilibrium of 5.7. The CoSO4 and NiO products were characterized by XRD, and there are no impurity peaks. We also did DFT calculations, which show the binding energies of Al3+ with extractants are in the order of Al3+-P204>Al3+-P507>Al3+-Cyanex 272, and Cyanex 272 exhibits the highest difference in binding energies of Ni2+ and Co2+. The process of Ni and Co recovery from the alkaline leaching residue of spent HPCs was proposed. Only 8t CO2 and 120kg SO2 emissions were generated during all the component recovery per ton of the spent HPCs using our proposed process. They are much less than pyro-hydrometallurgical processes.

Last-millennium volcanic forcing and climate response using SO2 emissions

Abstract. Climate variability in the last millennium (past 1000 years) is dominated by the effects of large-magnitude volcanic eruptions; however, a long-standing mismatch exists between model-simulated and tree-ring-derived surface cooling. Accounting for the self-limiting effects of large sulfur dioxide (SO2) injections and the limitations in tree-ring records, such as lagged responses due to biological memory, reconciles some of the discrepancy, but uncertainties remain, particularly for the largest tropical eruptions. The representation of volcanic forcing in the latest generation of climate models has improved significantly, but most models prescribe the aerosol optical properties rather than using SO2 emissions directly and including interactions between the aerosol, chemistry, and dynamics. Here, we use the UK Earth System Model (UKESM) to simulate the climate of the last millennium (1250–1850 CE) using volcanic SO2 emissions. Averaged across all large-magnitude eruptions, we find similar Northern Hemisphere (NH) summer cooling compared with other last-millennium climate simulations from the Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project Phase 4 (PMIP4), run with both SO2 emissions and prescribed forcing, and a continued overestimation of surface cooling compared with tree-ring reconstructions. However, for the largest-magnitude tropical eruptions in 1257 (Mt. Samalas) and 1815 (Mt. Tambora), some models, including UKESM1, suggest a smaller NH summer cooling that is in better agreement with tree-ring records. In UKESM1, we find that the simulated volcanic forcing differs considerably from the PMIP4 dataset used in models without interactive aerosol schemes, with marked differences in the hemispheric spread of the aerosol, resulting in lower forcing in the NH when SO2 emissions are used. Our results suggest that, for the largest tropical eruptions, the spatial distribution of aerosol can account for some of the discrepancies between model-simulated and tree-ring-derived cooling. Further work should therefore focus on better resolving the spatial distribution of aerosol forcing for past eruptions.

The effect of additives on particulate matter and gaseous emissions from combustion and oxy-fuel combustion of a biofuel blend composed of poultry manure and pine wood chips.

In this study, the effect of additives on particulate matter (PM) and flue gas emissions during the co-combustion of poultry waste and pine woodchips in air and oxy-fuel combustion conditions was examined. The appropriate additive for the fuel mixture to reduce PM emissions has been selected by a fast screening method based on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in oxygen environment. Among the additives CaHPO4, MgCO3, MnCO3, MgPO4, kaolin, CaO, and Zn, the most suitable ones were determined as Zn and MgCO3. The thermal degradation performance of biofuels containing 2 wt% additives was examined by TGA method under pyrolysis, combustion, and oxy-fuel combustion conditions. Ashes obtained from the additivated biofuel mixture were examined by XRF, XRD, and SEM-EDS analyses, and the effect of additives on the ash structure was investigated. Flue gas emissions of co-firing biofuel were analyzed by TGA-FTIR. It has been observed that the highest emission is CO2, and the oxy-fuel combustion process and addivation have shown reducing effect on CO2 emissions. Under oxy-fuel combustion conditions, higher CO and lower NOx, SO2, and HCl emissions occurred at a lower rate compared to the air environment, and additives also showed a reducing effect. The composition and crystal structure of Zn-additivated biofuel ash support its reducing effect in PM emissions. It was concluded that Zn is a more suitable additive in terms of PM and flue gas emissions than MgCO3.

Advancing Sustainability Assessment of Renewable Energy: A Study on Indicator‐to‐Framework Methods and Associated Rule Mining

ABSTRACTDivergent sustainable development perspectives, mathematical model limitations, and varying scenarios contribute to uncertainty in assessing renewable energy sustainability. To tackle these challenges, this study conducts a comprehensive literature review, employs an analogy, and utilizes knowledge discovery techniques with an indicator‐to‐framework approach. Qualitative classification and rule mining elucidate the interrelationships among dimensions, indicators, and scopes, enhancing assessment coherence. The study identifies 227 indicators across five dimensions and nine scopes, highlighting key rules through Apriori algorithm. Strong rules, meeting a support threshold of 0.22, confidence of 0.7, and Lift of 2.512, underscore the significance of environmental, economic, social, and technological dimensions. Environmental indicators like CO2 emissions, NOX emissions, and SO2 emissions feature prominently. The harmonization of dimensions, indicators, and scopes streamlines research and mitigates ambiguities. Appendices augment rules with frequent indicators, enriching insights. This data‐driven methodology provides a practical solution to the complexities of selecting appropriate indicators for such assessments.

Blessing or burden? The impact of rural e-commerce on industrial sulphur dioxide emissions: evidence from Taobao villages in China

ABSTRACT Rural e-commerce is expected to be an effective way to green development. However, the impact of rural e-commerce on the industrial sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions remains unexplored. Leveraging county-level data from 2014 to 2020, this research examines the influence of rural e-commerce on industrial SO₂ emissions. The analysis reveals that rural e-commerce significantly elevates industrial SO₂ emissions, with the effect being more pronounced in regions with concentrated rural e-commerce activities. Fortunately, environmental oversight and technological innovations can alleviate these adverse environmental impacts. Rural e-commerce contributes to higher industrial SO₂ emissions by fostering industrial growth, increasing energy consumption, and lowering energy efficiency. These findings offer important insights into the relationship between rural e-commerce and sustainable environmental development.

The Synergy of Pollution and Carbon Reduction by Green Fiscal Policy: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Utilizing a Pilot Program from China’s Comprehensive Demonstration Cities of Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Fiscal Policy

Using data from 2003 to 2019 for China’s 257 cities, this quantitative research utilizes the difference-in-differences approach to evaluate the synergy of the Comprehensive Demonstration Cities of Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Fiscal Policy on pollution and carbon reduction. The primary results are as follows. The policy successfully reduces total emissions of industrial SO2, industrial wastewater, and CO2, thus achieving the desired synergistic effect of pollution and carbon reduction. Facilitating green technological innovation and promoting industrial upgrading are the transmission mechanisms through which the synergistic effect of the policy operates. The negative effect of the policy on the total emissions of industrial SO2 and CO2 is greater in the eastern area than in the mid-western area and the impact of the policy on decreasing the total emissions of industrial SO2 is more pronounced in non-resource-based cities compared to resource-based cities. This study provides an empirical reference for green fiscal policy with respect to reducing air pollution, wastewater pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Effects of Gas Flaring On Air and Groundwater Quality in Ebedei and Ashaka, Located in Ukwuani, Delta State, Nigeria

This research examines the effects of gas flaring on air and groundwater quality in Ebedei and Ashaka, located in Ukwuani, Delta State, Nigeria. Data on air pollutants, including sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon dioxide (CO₂), as well as groundwater quality parameters, were collected during both the wet and dry seasons through systematic sampling techniques. The findings indicate that levels of SO₂ and NO₂ exceeded the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO), posing significant threats to air quality and public health. Conversely, CO₂ concentrations remained within acceptable ranges. Groundwater analysis revealed slightly acidic pH levels, elevated biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and high concentrations of iron, lead, and phosphates, all surpassing WHO standards and pointing to contamination caused by industrial emissions and acid rain. Statistical analyses demonstrated strong links between SO₂ and NO₂ emissions and groundwater quality, highlighting their harmful effects. Seasonal differences in pollutant levels were minor, suggesting that human activities are the primary source of pollution. The study emphasizes the urgent need for stricter environmental policies, effective pollution control measures, and ongoing monitoring to protect local communities and ecosystems.

Characteristics of NO/SO2 generation during coal/steel dust co-firing under multi-factor synergies

ABSTRACT The co-combustion of solid waste and coal in industrial kilns represents the primary method for the treatment of solid waste. This process must address the critical issue of efficiently controlling nitrogen oxides (NO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions. In this study, we initially conducted combustion experiments using both single-fuel and mixed-fuel configurations involving coal and steel dust. The experimental results indicated a positive correlation between temperature, airflow rate, and NO/SO2 emissions, while the mixing ratios exhibited a negative correlation. A straightforward regression prediction model for NO/SO2 emissions was developed to enhance understanding of the generation characteristics of NO and SO2, notably, the relative deviation from experimental results was merely 3.16%. This model integrates fuel properties with combustion conditions to elucidate the emission characteristics of nitrogen oxides (NO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) at their source. Finally, Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to analyze NO/SO2 emissions under varying operating conditions, including temperature (700–900 °C), air flow rate (80–200 mL/min), and mixing ratios (10–50%).The optimal results were observed at a blending ratio of 50%, where nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) conversion rates decreased by 25% and 23%, respectively. The results of the analyses determined that the key factors affecting NO emissions, in order of influence, are the mixing ratio, temperature, and air flow rate. For SO2 emissions, the order is mixing ratio, air flow rate, and temperature.

Blessing or Curse? Fintech Adoption and Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity☆

This study investigates the role of fintech adoption in shaping greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Exploiting China’s setting and using panel data from 2,400 observations and 281 prefecture-level cities in China from 2011 to 2019, we find that adopting fintech significantly reduces CO2 and SO2 emissions. Further analyses identify the underlying mechanisms as enhanced green innovation and increased fiscal transparency, which strengthen the ability of regions to protect the environment through public governance. To address the potential endogeneity issues arising from non-randomness and the non-exogenous shock of fintech adoption, we employ two novel instrumental variables as the geographical distance of the city to Hangzhou and the number of graduates to re-estimate our baseline results, which yield similar findings. We further find that this effect is more pronounced in regions with better Internet access and less intensive environmental regulations. Moreover, emissions reductions achieved from fintech adoption generate positive economic and social impacts.

Achieving pollution abatement and carbon reduction synergistically: How can industrial robots play a role?

Intelligent manufacturing and green development are pivotal issues in China's pursuit of high-quality economic growth. As the core carrier of artificial intelligence-driven production transformations, industrial robots' role in synergizing enterprise pollution control and carbon reduction has rarely been discussed in the literature. Leveraging a unique micro dataset with robot adoption, energy use, emissions, and economic factors, this study investigates the impact and mechanisms of robot adoption on enterprise pollution abatement and carbon reduction. The results unveil simultaneous SO2 and carbon emission intensity reductions after robot adoption. Further analysis attributes such synergistic effects primarily to front-end cleaner production rather than back-end pollution treatment. Promoting lean production, cleaner energy consumption, and technological innovation emerge as critical channels for robot adoption to exert synergistic benefits in pollution abatement and carbon reduction. Additionally, this collaborative abatement effect concentrates in large-scale enterprises, technology-intensive industry enterprises, and non-resource-based region enterprises. By elucidating robotization's micro-level workings, these findings provide valuable insights into green intelligent manufacturing and guide future integration of digital intelligence and green economy.

Import competition and pollution abatement: Firm-level evidence from China

The relationship between international trade and environmental has garnered considerable attention. However, research on developing economies’ experiences remains scant. This paper investigates the impact of import competition on pollution emissions of firms in China, the largest developing country, utilizing micro-firm survey data from 2000 to 2012. Our study reveals that import competition significantly curtails firms’ SO2 emission intensity. The employment of DID and 2SLS strategies corroborates the robustness of our results. Furthermore, we find that import competition bolsters firms’ technical efficiency, leads to alterations in product mix and industry features, and improved pollution treatment efficiency, culminating in diminished pollution intensity. However, there is no evidence that import competition has encouraged firms to prioritize green innovation and the use of clean energy. We also introduce a novel approach to identify ‘pollution leakage effects’. When this effect is taken into account, the pollution abatement effect of import competition still exists.

Examining air pollution dynamics in Ploiesti: a focus on vehicular emissions

This paper presented the topic of urban air pollution in Ploiesti Municipality, located 60 km north of Bucharest. The study analyzes the seasonal variations in 2023 of air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM10), the impact of road traffic on air quality, as well as the monitoring measures according to the in force environmental legislation. For the air quality assessment two types of data were collected: data from the National Air Quality Monitoring Station (AQMS) of Ploiesti for the winter ÷ summer period and data obtained from field measurements carried out in November. The location of the sampling points took into account several factors such as: pollution source (road traffic, industry), measured meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction). The experimental data were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and were also compared with AQMS values. The comparisons between measured and AQMS data showed significantly higher concentrations for the samples (P1, P2, P3), which could indicate the presence of local sources of SO2 emissions or conditions favoring the accumulation of this pollutant. The PCA indicate that the higher concentrations of pollutants seemed to be associated with cooler temperatures and reduced solar radiation, suggesting a significant impact of meteorological conditions on the distribution of pollutants.

Historical inventories and future scenarios of multiple hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) emissions from the iron and steel production industry in China.

Iron and steel production (ISP) is one of significant atmospheric pollution emission sources in China. With the implementation of ultra-low emission (ULE) standards, a detailed and new updated emission inventory is urgently needed for better understanding of the temporal trends and spatial variation of emission characteristics. In this study, a unit-based comprehensive emission inventory of multiple hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) for the Chinese ISP spanned from 2012 to 2021, including the conventional pollutants, 13 kinds of Trace elements as well as 2 unconventional but toxic pollutants (PCDD/Fs, F), was dedicatedly developed by integrating dynamic localized emission factors with unit-based information of both the detailed activity level and abatement technology application. Scenario analyses were also conducted to forecast future emission trends up to 2050. The results showed that the lower emission factors owing to ULE retrofits had resulted in different spatial-temporal emission characteristics between outputs and HAPs emissions. The atmospheric emissions of SO2, NOX, PM2.5, PM10, TSP, F and PCDD/Fs from Chinese ISP in 2021 were estimated at about 414.4, 450.5, 1044.3, 2001.6, 3958.8, 9.42 kt and 9.35kg-TEQ, respectively. And most HAPs emissions were lower than those in 2012. Regarding the spatial distribution, Hebei, Jiangsu, Shanxi, ranked as the top 3 emission provinces. Moreover, different manufacturing processes (sintering, blast furnace, steel making, etc.) contributed with different magnitude for specific species, and the future trends estimation showed a great reducing potential caused by the implementation of ULE abatement measures and structure adjustment in future.

The relationship between geographic distance to environmental protection agencies and industrial pollution emissions

ABSTRACT The distance between governments and firms is associated with firms’ economic activities, while the association of geographic proximity to environmental agencies with industrial pollution emissions is unclear. To explore the effects of geographic distance on firms’ pollution emissions, we use the fixed-effect models with data from the China Industrial Enterprise Database. Our results show that the firms located further away from environmental agencies release more SO2 (β = 0.102, p < 0.01) than those close to those environmental agencies. Subsequent investigations reveal that geographic distance has a positive correlation with the short-term performance of firms (total production value and fixed investment) but a negative correlation with firms’ long-term performance (green innovation, technological updates and clean energy use). Heterogeneous checks show that the influence of geographic distance on SO2 emissions is mainly found in non-local firms, suggesting a possibility of collusion between proximate firms and local government. This study highlights how the firm-agency distance relation affects pollution emissions and suggests that policymakers should consider more efficient instruments for environmental management.

Cooperative Low-Carbon Trajectory Planning of Multi-Arrival Aircraft for Continuous Descent Operation

To address the technical challenges of implementing Continuous Descent Operations (CDO) in high-traffic-density terminal control areas, we propose a cooperative low-carbon trajectory planning method for multiple arriving aircraft. Firstly, this study analyzes the CDO phases of aircraft in the terminal area, establishes a multi-phase optimal control model for the vertical profile, and introduces a novel vertical profile optimization method for CDO based on a genetic algorithm. Secondly, to tackle the challenges of CDO in busy terminal areas, a T-shaped arrival route structure is designed to provide alternative paths and to generate a set of four-dimensional (4D) alternative trajectories. A Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) model is constructed for the 4D trajectory planning of multiple aircraft, aiming to maximize the efficiency of arrival traffic flow while considering conflict constraints. The complex constrained MIP problem is transformed into an unconstrained problem using a penalty function method. Finally, experiments were conducted to evaluate the implementation of CDO in busy terminal areas. The results show that, compared to actual operations, the proposed optimization model significantly reduces the total aircraft operating time, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, SO2 emissions, and NOx emissions. Specifically, with the optimization objective of minimizing total cost, the proposed method reduces the total operation time by 22.4%; fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, SO2 emissions by 22.9%, and NOx emissions by 23.7%. The method proposed in this paper not only produces efficient aircraft sequencing results, but also provides a feasible low-carbon trajectory for achieving optimal sequencing.

Experimental verification on the effectiveness on hydrogen peroxide fuel blends in gasoline engine operation: Exhaust emission analysis

This experiment aims to investigate the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide on the exhaust emission characteristics of a spark ignition engine. 5%, 10%, and 15% of hydrogen peroxide-gasoline mixtures are the fuel blends used in the current study. Experimental results about emission characteristics of spark ignition fueled with hydrogen peroxide-gasoline blend at an engine speed of 2500RPM with variable loads are presented in detail. The results are then compared to that of gasoline fuel operations. Hydrogen peroxide-gasoline blends indicate lower CO and SO2 emissions. The most significant penalty will be a slight increase in EGT, HC, and NOx emissions. It is concluded that a 10% hydrogen peroxide-gasoline fuel blend is the optimum blend for acceptable emission controls.

Geothermal Condition Investigation and Resource Potential Evaluation of Shallow Geothermal Energy in the Yinchuan Area, Ningxia, China

Shallow geothermal energy (SGE) is a promising green and sustainable energy source, gaining prominence in light of the dual-carbon target. This study investigated the SGE resources in the Yinchuan area. Suitability zones and the potential of SGE resources were determined based on the comprehensive analysis about thermophysical parameters, hydrogeological conditions, and geological environment. Our findings revealed that the effective thermal conductivity in the Yinchuan area surpasses those of other cities, indicating significant potential for SGE. The thermostat layer depth ranges from 40 to 60 m, with a geothermal gradient between 0.81 and 6.19 °C/100 m. Regions with poor adaptability for a borehole heat exchanger (BHE) are mainly distributed in the western and southern parts of the Yinchuan area, whereas moderately and highly adaptable areas are primarily located in the central and eastern areas, respectively. The total geothermal resource of the BHE in the Yinchuan area amounts to 1.07 × 108 GJ/a, generating significant economic benefits of 1.07 × 109 CNY/a and saving 1.09 × 106 t/a of standard coal annually. This initiative leads to significant reductions in CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions by 2.61 × 106 t/a, 1.86 × 104 t/a, and 6.57 × 103 t/a, respectively. Additionally, it results in potential savings of 0.309 × 109 CNY/a in environmental treatment costs. The methods and models used in this study have potential for similar geothermal surveys in arid and cold regions. The results also contribute essential insights for policy formulation and sustainable development strategies related to shallow geothermal resources in the Yinchuan area.

Air quality levels in the industrial city of Jubail, Saudi Arabia

Ambient air quality remains a significant health and environmental challenge in developing cities, primarily due to increasing gas emissions from fossil fuel use. Harmful outdoor air pollutants constitute a critical environmental and public health concern, as poor air quality directly impacts human health, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to assess ambient gaseous air pollutants—specifically sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC)—in Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia. Hourly fixed-site air quality monitoring data were collected from three monitoring stations distributed throughout Jubail, covering the period from January 2020 to December 2022, alongside recorded hourly meteorological conditions. Standard monitoring equipment was employed to measure pollutant concentrations at all three locations. Notably, the highest emissions of CO, SO2, and NMHC occurred in 2021, while the highest emissions of NO, NO2, and NOx were recorded in 2022, with 2022 generally exhibiting the highest gas emissions and 2020 the lowest. Variations in gaseous contaminants were observed, influenced by changes in meteorological conditions and human activities. However, the levels of gaseous emissions remained within acceptable limits according to the air quality index. Consequently, policies implemented during and after the COVID-19 lockdown effectively reduced the accumulation of gaseous emissions to below harmful levels. Maintaining these measures is crucial for ensuring ongoing air quality improvements.

Pollutant Emission and Ash Accumulation Characteristics of Tri-Combustion of Coal, Biomass, and Oil Sludge

To study the ash accumulation and pollutant emission characteristics of tri-combustion of coal, biomass, and oil sludge, a fluidized bed and settling furnace system is established for tri-combustion experiments. The effect of blending ratio (the ratio of biomass and oil sludge range from 30% to 50% and 10% to 20%, respectively) and biomass types are examined. The results show that HTB, coal, and oil sludge reach peak NO and NO2 production at approximately 100 s and 200 s of combustion, respectively, with NOx levels returning to zero around 300 s. SO2 peaks around 100 s and then gradually declines. The blending ratio of HTB:oil sludge:coal at 50%:10%:40% demonstrates the most effective control over NOx and SO2 emissions, reducing NO, NO2, and SO2 production by approximately 33%, 20%, and 50%, respectively. In the ash with a ratio of Hutubi (HTB) + 50% oil sludge, the mass fractions of O, Si, Ca, Al, and Fe are approximately 27%, 23%, 20%, 8%, and 12%, respectively. With the increase in the blending ratio of biomass and oil sludge, the mass fraction of Si in the ash rises, while those of Ca, Al, and Fe decrease.

The differences between remote sensing and in situ air pollutant measurements over the Canadian oil sands

Abstract. Ground-based remote sensing instruments have been widely used for atmospheric research, but applications for air quality monitoring remain limited. Compared to an in situ instrument that provides air quality conditions at the ground level, most remote sensing instruments (nadir viewing) are sensitive to a broad range of altitudes, often providing only integrated column observations. These column data can be more difficult to interpret and to relate to surface values and hence to “nose-height-level” health factors. This research utilized ground-based remote sensing and in situ air quality observations in Canada's Athabasca oil sands region to investigate some of their differences. Vertical column densities (VCDs) of SO2 and NO2 retrieved by Pandora spectrometers located at the Oski-Otin site at Fort McKay (Alberta, Canada) from 2013–2019 were analyzed along with measurements of SO2 and NO2 surface concentrations and meteorological data. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) observations by a CIMEL sunphotometer were compared with surface PM2.5 data. The Oski-Otin site is surrounded by several large bitumen mining operations within the Athabasca oil sands region with significant NO2 emissions from the mining fleet. Two major bitumen upgraders that are 20 km south-east of the site have total SO2 and NO2 emissions of about 40 and 20 kt yr−1, respectively. It was demonstrated that remote sensing data from Pandora and CIMEL combined with high-vertical-resolution wind profiles can provide information about pollution sources and plume characteristics. Elevated SO2 VCDs were clearly observed for times with south and south-eastern winds, particularly at 200–300 m altitude (above ground level). High NO2 VCD values were observed from other directions (e.g., north-west) with less prominent impacts from 200–300 m winds. In situ ground observations of SO2 and NO2 show a different sensitivity to wind profiles, indicating they are less sensitive to elevated plumes than remote sensing instruments. In addition to measured wind data and lidar-observed boundary layer height (BLH), modelled wind profiles and BLH from ECMWF Reanalysis v5 (ERA5) have been used to further examine the correlation between column and surface observations. The results show that the height of emission sources (e.g., emissions from high stacks or near the surface) will determine the ratio of measured column and surface concentration values (i.e., could show positive or negative correlation with BLH). This effect will have an impact on the comparison between column observations (e.g., from the satellite or ground-based remote sensing instruments) with surface in situ measurements. This study explores differences between remote sensing and in situ instruments in terms of their vertical, horizontal, and temporal sampling differences. Understanding and resolving these differences are critical for future analyses linking satellite, ground-based remote sensing and in situ observations in air quality monitoring and research.