Query on Temporal Resolution and Integration Parameters for GHG Back-Trajectory Analysis in Semi-Arid Regions

[adammendoza582]

I am a doctoral researcher investigating atmospheric transport and source-receptor relationships for CO₂, CH₄, H₂O vapor, and CO over Morocco. My workflow utilizes backward trajectory simulations coupled with PSCF and CWT statistical analyses to apportion GHG sources relative to in-situ observations.

I am currently constrained to GDAS 1° reanalysis data. I seek technical guidance on optimizing the following simulation parameters:

For methodological context, the receptor site is situated at approximately 850 m ASL in a semi-arid transitional zone where synoptic transport is frequently modulated by local topography and diurnal boundary layer evolution. My current HYSPLIT configuration launches trajectories from the measurement height (typically 50 m AGL) using a 6-hourly release cycle, but I am evaluating whether increasing the temporal resolution to 3-hourly or 1-hourly outputs would better capture the rapid wind shear and nocturnal drainage flows that govern short-residence-time species. Given that my in-situ GHG measurements are sampled at 1-hour intervals, I aim to optimally align the trajectory temporal grid with the observational frequency while mitigating potential biases introduced by the coarse GDAS grid. I would appreciate recommendations on particle clustering strategies, vertical mixing parameterization, or established protocols for reconciling high-frequency concentration data with coarser meteorological reanalyses in similar arid/semi-arid settings.

Temporal Sampling Interval: Is a 3-hourly trajectory output necessary to accurately resolve diurnal boundary layer dynamics and episodic transport, particularly for short-residence-time species (CO, CH₄Nano Banana Pro), or is 6-hourly sufficient for robust statistical clustering?
Backtracking Duration: Given the varying residence times of my target gases, is a fixed 10-day integration period standard, or should the window be dynamically adjusted based on species-specific transport timescales?
Resolution Constraints: To what extent does the 1° GDAS resolution limit the fidelity of fine-scale transport in this region? Are there published protocols for validating such configurations against coarse meteorological inputs?