Autores: Cortez H.M., Antonio D. R.E., Mendoza L.O.O., Segado M.L.C., Montávez J.P., Jiménez G.P., Sosa E.R. (corresponding author), Fuentes G.G., César V.E., Baldasano J.M., Velasco H.G

* Ciencias Ambientales | Grupo de Contaminación Ambiental

Abstract

his work introduces the Gulf of Mexico High-Resolution Maritime Emissions Inventory (GoM-HEI), a dataset
derived from 1-min AIS vessel-tracking data for 2022 and spatially allocated to a 1 × 1 km grid with daily
temporal aggregation. The inventory provides a detailed quantification of key air pollutants (NOX, SO2, CO, BC,
PM10, PM2.5, NMVOC) emitted by maritime traffic across the Gulf of Mexico. By reconstructing vessel activity
from high-frequency AIS observations, this inventory represents the spatial and temporal variability of emissions

along main shipping corridors, port areas, and coastal zones in a form suitable for air quality modeling, envi-
ronmental management, and the design of emission control strategies in a region of intense maritime activity. To

evaluate the robustness and reliability of the GoM-HEI, its results were systematically compared with leading
global emission inventories (CAMS and EDGAR). While these comparisons reveal significant differences in spatial
patterns and emission magnitudes primarily due to methodological and resolution contrasts, the inventory
consistently identifies key hotspots and navigation routes that are underrepresented in global datasets. This
comparative assessment underscores the value of regionally tailored inventories using high-frequency AIS data
and a ~1 km grid allocation for environmental assessment and policy support in the Gulf of Mexico.