Assessment of the regional fossil fuel CO2 distribution through Δ14C patterns in ipê leaves: The case of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Fossil fuel-derived CO2 (Cff) emission patterns and their point sources across the Rio de Janeiro megacity and state were estimated from a single regional-scale Δ14C distribution map based on isotopic measurements of ipê leaves (Tabebuia, a popular flowering deciduous perennial tree). Data from multi-year sampling (i.e., 2014–2016) was renormalized to reflect 14C signatures of the 2015 calendar year. Spatial variability in Δ14C ranges from a maximum of 27.1 ± 0.4‰ (city of Petrópolis, a higher-elevation municipality) to a minimum of −43.6 ± 1.4‰ (i.e., approximately 27.6 ± 1 ppm of Cff — Santo Cristo, a district within the Rio de Janeiro city). Overall, higher Δ14C values correlate well with green habitats and high elevation areas, while lower values are associated with Cff emissions in densely populated areas with higher industrial and traffic footprints. Cff emissions are higher where local air circulation is poor, such as the area surrounding Guanabara Bay. Other areas with significantly higher Cff emissions were the Paraíba Valley and Mountain regions. These results may be explained by atmospheric transport of CO2 from neighboring states, such as São Paulo and Minas Gerais, and by the predominant west winds and the limited regional air flow created by large topographic features. Lower Cff emissions were observed in the Northwest and Lakes regions, which are dominated by agriculture and tourism activities. Our results highlight the potential of directly estimating Cff for studying urban landscapes in the southern region of Brazil through 14C time-integrated distribution mapping of ipê leaves. The method could also be used to augment greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory studies trends in partitioning Cff from CO2 of bio-template sustainable sources.