Articles | Volume 10, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1299-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1299-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
03 Apr 2017
Research article |
| 03 Apr 2017
A European-wide 222radon and 222radon progeny comparison study
Dominik Schmithüsen
Institut für Umweltphysik (IUP), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
Scott Chambers
Institute for Environmental Research (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Australia
Bernd Fischer
Umweltbundesamt (UBA), Meßstelle Schauinsland, Oberried, Germany
Stefan Gilge
Deutscher Wetterdienst, Hohenpeißenberg (HPB), Hohenpeißenberg
Germany
Juha Hatakka
Finnish Meteorological Institution (FMI), Helsinki, Finland
Victor Kazan
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, LSCE/IPSL,
CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
Rolf Neubert
Centrum voor IsotopenOnderzoek (CIO), ESRIG, University of
Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
Jussi Paatero
Finnish Meteorological Institution (FMI), Helsinki, Finland
Michel Ramonet
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, LSCE/IPSL,
CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
Clemens Schlosser
Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (BfS), Freiburg, Germany
Sabine Schmid
Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (BfS), Freiburg, Germany
Alex Vermeulen
Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), Petten, the Netherlands
now at: ICOS ERIC – Carbon Portal, Lund, Sweden
Ingeborg Levin
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institut für Umweltphysik (IUP), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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Hui Li, Philippe Ciais, Frédéric Chevallier, Bo Zheng, Paul I. Palmer, Frank Hase, Morgan Lopez, Elsa M. Ordway, Shushi Peng, Danielle Monteverde, Michel Ramonet, Jason M. St. Clair, Le Bienfaiteur Sagang, and Benjamin Poulter
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 11893–11908, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11893-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11893-2026, 2026
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We studied how to best place methane monitoring instruments across Africa to better understand where emissions come from. Because observations can overlap in what they detect, adding more sites does not always improve results equally. Using a statistical approach, we identified both the ideal number and locations of sites (ten new sites can reduce emission uncertainty by over 65 % for total African CH4). Our results help guide cost-effective monitoring strategies in regions with limited data.
Alohotsy Rafalimanana, Thomas Lauvaux, Charbel Abdallah, Mali Chariot, Michel Ramonet, Josselin Doc, Olivier Laurent, Morgan Lopez, Anja Raznjevic, Maarten Krol, Leena Järvi, Andreas Christen, Dana Looschelders, Leslie David, Olivier Sanchez, Laura Bignotti, Benjamin Loubet, Sue Grimmond, and William Morrison
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2581, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2581, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
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Using WRF-Chem simulations over Greater Paris at resolutions from 900 m to 100 m (LES), we show that horizontal resolution critically shapes urban CO2 plume structure. Mesoscale runs underestimate spatial contrasts by a factor of 2–3, with representativeness errors of 29–61 % (near-surface) and 21–59 % (XCO2). LES improves intra-urban variability and enables more accurate spatial attribution of emissions, a key step toward reliable top-down estimates for city-scale climate mitigation.
Alice E. Ramsden, Anita L. Ganesan, Matthew Rigby, Chris Rennick, Tim Arnold, Emmal Safi, Edward Chung, Dafina Kikaj, Cameron Yeo, Dave Lowry, Pete Levy, Simon O'Doherty, Kieran M. Stanley, Dickon Young, Joe Pitt, Damien Martin, Morgan Lopez, Michel Ramonet, Grant L. Forster, Arnoud Frumau, and Alistair J. Manning
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 11421–11448, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11421-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11421-2026, 2026
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Methane is emitted from a range of anthropogenic and natural sources, each with a characteristic isotope ratio signature. We present a method for estimating emissions from multiple sources using isotopic signatures and observations of atmospheric methane isotope ratios. We show the importance of considering isotopic signature uncertainty and demonstrate how our current understanding of these signatures may be limiting this method’s ability to reduce uncertainties in emissions estimates.
Alohotsy Rafalimanana, Thomas Lauvaux, Charbel Abdallah, Mali Chariot, Michel Ramonet, Josselin Doc, Olivier Laurent, Morgan Lopez, Anja Raznjevic, Maarten Krol, Leena Järvi, Andreas Christen, Dana Looschelders, Leslie David, Olivier Sanchez, Laura Bignotti, Benjamin Loubet, Sue Grimmond, and William Morrison
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2109, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2109, 2026
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This study explores how city design and buildings affect CO2 levels in the air over Paris. Using a transport model, we tested different urban canopy models to represent the city environment and its influence on air motion. We found that realistic descriptions of urban surfaces are crucial, especially in winter, for accurately showing how CO2 builds up and disperses, leading to better satellite monitoring of city CO2 emissions.
Josselin Doc, François-Marie Bréon, Morgan Lopez, Yao Té, Pascal Jeseck, Jinghui Lian, Guillaume Nief, Antoine Parent, Hippolyte Leuridan, and Michel Ramonet
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 8937–8959, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-8937-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-8937-2026, 2026
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A greenhouse gas monitoring network was set up around Paris. From July 2022 to December 2024, three stations placed along the main wind direction detected differences of 0.5–1 ppm between sites. Compared with WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry) simulations using the Origins.earth inventory, the data suggest that emissions are overestimated by the inventory. A reduction of about 34 % would be needed, a stronger correction than indicated by surface-based studies.
Alessandro Zanchetta, Steven van Heuven, Rigel Kivi, Michel Ramonet, Andreas Engel, Maarten Krol, and Huilin Chen
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2799, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2799, 2026
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In this study, we calculate the mean lifetime of carbonyl sulfide (COS) and methane (CH4) in the stratosphere from continuous vertical profiles sampled with balloon-borne instruments. We used two methods based on the stratospheric relationship of these gas species with N2O. The estimated stratospheric lifetime range is 69–90 years for COS and 146–172 years for CH4. These results are consistent with other studies and suggest no long-term trends in the stratospheric lifetime of these gas species.
Emmal Safi, Joe Pitt, Grant Forster, Chris Rennick, Simon O’Doherty, Dickon Young, Kanokrat Charoenpornpukdee, Nick Garrard, Dafina Kikaj, Andrew Manning, Gerard Spain, Damien Martin, Morgan Lopez, Michel Ramonet, and Kieran Stanely
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1802, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1802, 2026
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We compared whole and synthetic-air reference materials (RMs) for investigating offsets in greenhouse gas measurements so data from different sites/networks can be trusted when combined. By sending whole and synthetic-air (RMs) to six sites and measuring under routine field conditions, we found whole-air gives the most precise results, especially for carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. Synthetic-air worked fairly well for methane but synthetic-air RMs needs lower uncertainty before wide use.
Ann-Kristin Kunz, Samuel Hammer, Patrick Aigner, Laura Bignotti, Lars Borchardt, Jia Chen, Julian Della Coletta, Lukas Emmenegger, Markus Eritt, Xochilt Gutiérrez, Josh Hashemi, Rainer Hilland, Christopher Holst, Armin Jordan, Natascha Kljun, Richard Kneißl, Changxing Lan, Virgile Legendre, Ingeborg Levin, Benjamin Loubet, Matthias Mauder, Betty Molinier, Susanne Preunkert, Michel Ramonet, Stavros Stagakis, and Andreas Christen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 4967–5003, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-4967-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-4967-2026, 2026
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We present radiocarbon (14C)-based fossil fuel CO2 fluxes from relaxed eddy accumulation measurements on tall towers in the cities of Zurich, Paris, and Munich. By separating net CO2 fluxes into fossil and non-fossil components, these data reveal significant and variable contributions from human, plant, and soil respiration, as well as point-source emissions. These unique insights into CO2 flux composition offer crucial information for observation-based validation of urban emission estimates.
Jiaxin Wang, Sieglinde Callewaert, Minqiang Zhou, Filip Desmet, Sébastien Conil, Michel Ramonet, Pucai Wang, and Martine De Mazière
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 3541–3565, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-3541-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-3541-2026, 2026
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We used a regional atmospheric transport model to simulate carbon dioxide mole fractions over Western Europe. The results show the importance of anthropogenic emission configurations, particularly near large emission sources, as well as the necessity of improving biogenic flux simulations. These findings contribute to enhancing the accuracy of carbon dioxide modeling and carbon budget inversions.
Alessandro Zanchetta, Steven van Heuven, Joram Hooghiem, Rigel Kivi, Thomas Laemmel, Michel Ramonet, Markus Leuenberger, Peter Nyfeler, Sophie L. Baartman, Maarten Krol, and Huilin Chen
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 19, 1465–1486, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-1465-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-1465-2026, 2026
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Continuous vertical profiles and discrete stratospheric samples of carbonyl sulfide (COS) were collected deploying the balloon-borne AirCore, LIghtweight Stratospheric Air (LISA) and BigLISA samplers and measured on a Quantum Cascade Laser Spectrometer (QCLS). Our measurements show good accordance with previous COS observations. Moreover, laboratory tests of ozone (O3) scrubbers proved squalene to remove O3 very efficiently without biasing the measurements of other trace gases.
Constantina Rousogenous, Christof Petri, Pierre-Yves Quéhé, Thomas Laemmel, Joshua L. Laughner, Maximilien Desservettaz, Michael Pikridas, Michel Ramonet, Efstratios Bourtsoukidis, Matthias Buschmann, Justus Notholt, Thorsten Warneke, Jean-Daniel Paris, Jean Sciare, and Mihalis Vrekoussis
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 19, 565–581, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-565-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-565-2026, 2026
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The Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East is a greenhouse gas emission hotspot but lacks atmospheric monitoring. Our study introduces the first Total Carbon Column Observing Network site in this region, in Cyprus, providing high-precision columnar measurement of key greenhouse gases. This new dataset enhances global climate monitoring efforts, supports the validation of satellites, will help assess regional emission trends, filling a critical observational gap in this climate-sensitive region.
Nikolai Ponomarev, Michael Steiner, Erik Koene, Pascal Rubli, Stuart Grange, Lionel Constantin, Michel Ramonet, Leslie David, Arash Hamzehloo, Lukas Emmenegger, and Dominik Brunner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 547–570, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-547-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-547-2026, 2026
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Urban inversions are gaining increasing attention, as cities are major contributors to anthropogenic emissions, making accurate emission estimates at this scale essential for supporting climate action plans and verifying reported emission reductions. We estimated carbon dioxide emissions in Zurich and Paris over one year by combining atmospheric observations with mesoscale model simulations. Our study shows how factors like city size, terrain, and measurement methods affect emission estimates.
Ida Storm, Ute Karstens, Claudio D'Onofrio, Alex Vermeulen, Samuel Hammer, Ingrid Super, Theo Glauch, and Wouter Peters
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 6681–6701, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-6681-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-6681-2025, 2025
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Many cities are committed to ambitious CO2 emission reduction targets, supported by climate action plans. Atmospheric measurements are essential to verify that these efforts lead to the expected reductions. Here, we characterise and compare 96 European cities across 18 metrics, linking them to four major challenges in CO2 emissions monitoring. Our framework includes a tool with additional cities and metrics, as well as "mapbooks" for the 96 cities.
Camille Yver-Kwok, Michel Ramonet, Leonard Rivier, Jinghui Lian, Claudia Grossi, Roger Curcoll, Dafina Kikaj, Edward Chung, and Ute Karstens
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 16085–16106, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-16085-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-16085-2025, 2025
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Here, we use greenhouse gas and radon data from a tall tower in France to estimate their fluxes within the station footprint from January 2017 to October 2024 using the Radon Tracer Method. Using the latest radon exhalation maps and standardized radon measurements, we found the greenhouse gas fluxes to be in agreement with the literature. Compared to inventories, there is a general agreement except for carbon dioxide where we show that the biogenic fluxes are not well represented in the model.
Laura Bouillon, Valérie Gros, Morgan Lopez, Nicolas Bonnaire, Carole Philippon, Camille Yver Kwok, Leslie David, Olivier Perrussel, Olivier Sanchez, Simone Kotthaus, Jean-Eudes Petit, Philippe Ciais, and Michel Ramonet
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-602, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-602, 2025
Revised manuscript accepted for ESSD
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The Saclay observatory, 20 km southwest of Paris, monitored greenhouse and reactive gases, as well as aerosols, over 10 years to assess the impact of urban emissions. By comparing downwind and background conditions, the study revealed significant reductions in pollutants linked to traffic: -35.6 % for CO, -52.3 % for NOₓ, -56.7 % for eBC, and -15 % for CO2. These trends align with emission decrease estimates from AIRPARIF inventories over the same period.
Maksym Gachkivskyi, Ute Karstens, Bernd Fischer, Dagmar Kubistin, Jennifer Müller-Williams, Matthias Lindauer, and Ingeborg Levin
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 6173–6197, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-6173-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-6173-2025, 2025
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222Radon (Rn) can be used to distinguish marine and continental air masses or to validate transport models. The Heidelberg Radon Monitor (HRM) measures 214polonium (Po), a progeny of Rn. This study presents Po-based Rn activity concentrations measured with the HRM at eight stations in Germany with guidelines for estimating Rn from Po measurements. Comparison between modeled and measured activity concentrations shows that at high relative humidity Po measurements cannot be interpreted as Rn.
Scott D. Chambers, Ute Karstens, Alan D. Griffiths, Stefan Röttger, Arnoud Frumau, Christopher T. Roulston, Peter Sperlich, Felix Vogel, Agnieszka Podstawczyńska, Dafina Kikaj, Maksym Gachkivskyi, Michel Ramonet, Blagoj Mitrevski, Janja Vaupotič, Xuemeng Chen, and Annette Röttger
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5042, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5042, 2025
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The Radon Tracer Method (RTM) is a top-down approach to estimate greenhouse gas emissions. While simple in principle, incorrect use can complicate interpretation of results. Based on observations from a range of contrasting sites, this article reviews the underlying assumptions and key considerations for applying the RTM. It also introduces the concept of coupling RTM analyses with nocturnal stability classification, to reduce uncertainty of fetch estimates and improve interpretation of results.
Félix Langot, Cyril Crevoisier, Thomas Lauvaux, Charbel Abdallah, Jérôme Pernin, Xin Lin, Marielle Saunois, Axel Guedj, Thomas Ponthieu, Julien Moyé, Michel Ramonet, Anke Roiger, Klaus-Dirk Gottschaldt, and Alina Fiehn
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 5955–5983, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-5955-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-5955-2025, 2025
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Our study compares outputs from meteorological and atmospheric composition models to data from the MAGIC2021 campaign that took place in Sweden. Our results highlight performance differences among models, revealing strengths and weaknesses of different modelling techniques. We also found that wetland emission inventories overestimated emissions in regional simulations. This work helps to refine methane emission predictions, essential for understanding climate change.
Antti Laitinen, Hermanni Aaltonen, Christoph Zellweger, Aki Tsuruta, Tuula Aalto, and Juha Hatakka
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 3109–3133, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-3109-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-3109-2025, 2025
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This paper presents long-term observations of atmospheric CO2 and CH4 mole fractions and a comparison of two permanent and two mobile measurement systems located in Northern Finland. Furthermore, the observed mole fractions are compared against the mean marine boundary layer product for the Northern Hemisphere. The comparisons of all the systems show good agreement in relation to the World Meteorological Organization/Global Atmosphere Watch network compatibility goal limits for CO2 and CH4.
Kimmo Teinilä, Sanna Saarikoski, Henna Lintusaari, Teemu Lepistö, Petteri Marjanen, Minna Aurela, Heidi Hellén, Toni Tykkä, Markus Lampimäki, Janne Lampilahti, Luis Barreira, Timo Mäkelä, Leena Kangas, Juha Hatakka, Sami Harni, Joel Kuula, Jarkko V. Niemi, Harri Portin, Jaakko Yli-Ojanperä, Ville Niemelä, Milja Jäppi, Katrianne Lehtipalo, Joonas Vanhanen, Liisa Pirjola, Hanna E. Manninen, Tuukka Petäjä, Topi Rönkkö, and Hilkka Timonen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4907–4928, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4907-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4907-2025, 2025
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Physical and chemical properties of particulate matter and concentrations of trace gases were measured in a street canyon in Helsinki, Finland, and an urban background site in January–February 2022 to investigate the effect of wintertime conditions on pollutants. State-of-the-art instruments and a mobile laboratory were used, and the measurement data were analysed further with modelling tools like positive matrix factorization and the Pollution Detection Algorithm.
Marielle Saunois, Adrien Martinez, Benjamin Poulter, Zhen Zhang, Peter A. Raymond, Pierre Regnier, Josep G. Canadell, Robert B. Jackson, Prabir K. Patra, Philippe Bousquet, Philippe Ciais, Edward J. Dlugokencky, Xin Lan, George H. Allen, David Bastviken, David J. Beerling, Dmitry A. Belikov, Donald R. Blake, Simona Castaldi, Monica Crippa, Bridget R. Deemer, Fraser Dennison, Giuseppe Etiope, Nicola Gedney, Lena Höglund-Isaksson, Meredith A. Holgerson, Peter O. Hopcroft, Gustaf Hugelius, Akihiko Ito, Atul K. Jain, Rajesh Janardanan, Matthew S. Johnson, Thomas Kleinen, Paul B. Krummel, Ronny Lauerwald, Tingting Li, Xiangyu Liu, Kyle C. McDonald, Joe R. Melton, Jens Mühle, Jurek Müller, Fabiola Murguia-Flores, Yosuke Niwa, Sergio Noce, Shufen Pan, Robert J. Parker, Changhui Peng, Michel Ramonet, William J. Riley, Gerard Rocher-Ros, Judith A. Rosentreter, Motoki Sasakawa, Arjo Segers, Steven J. Smith, Emily H. Stanley, Joël Thanwerdas, Hanqin Tian, Aki Tsuruta, Francesco N. Tubiello, Thomas S. Weber, Guido R. van der Werf, Douglas E. J. Worthy, Yi Xi, Yukio Yoshida, Wenxin Zhang, Bo Zheng, Qing Zhu, Qiuan Zhu, and Qianlai Zhuang
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 1873–1958, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-1873-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-1873-2025, 2025
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Methane (CH4) is the second most important human-influenced greenhouse gas in terms of climate forcing after carbon dioxide (CO2). A consortium of multi-disciplinary scientists synthesise and update the budget of the sources and sinks of CH4. This edition benefits from important progress in estimating emissions from lakes and ponds, reservoirs, and streams and rivers. For the 2010s decade, global CH4 emissions are estimated at 575 Tg CH4 yr-1, including ~65 % from anthropogenic sources.
Sebastien Conil, Gilles Bergametti, Laurent Langrene, Morgan Lopez, Olivier Masson, Cyril Pallares, and Michel Ramonet
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-148, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-148, 2025
Preprint archived
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From 2012 to 2023, hourly surface ozone, trace gases, meteorological parameters, and weekly beryllium-7 and sodium-22 activity were monitored at the OPE station in eastern France. While mean afternoon ozone concentrations showed no significant trend, baseline ozone increased by 0.7 µg·m⁻³ per year. Ozone anomalies were linked to pollutants (CO, NOx, CH4) from November to February, and to Stratosphere-to-Troposphere Transport proxies from April to September.
Dafina Kikaj, Edward Chung, Alan D. Griffiths, Scott D. Chambers, Grant Forster, Angelina Wenger, Penelope Pickers, Chris Rennick, Simon O'Doherty, Joseph Pitt, Kieran Stanley, Dickon Young, Leigh S. Fleming, Karina Adcock, Emmal Safi, and Tim Arnold
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 151–175, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-151-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-151-2025, 2025
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We present a protocol to improve confidence in atmospheric radon measurements, enabling site comparisons and integration with greenhouse gas data. As a natural tracer, radon provides an independent check of transport model performance. This standardized method enhances radon’s use as a metric for model evaluation. Beyond UK observatories, it can support broader networks like ICOS and WMO/GAW, advancing global atmospheric research.
Lilian Vallet, Charbel Abdallah, Thomas Lauvaux, Lilian Joly, Michel Ramonet, Philippe Ciais, Morgan Lopez, Irène Xueref-Remy, and Florent Mouillot
Biogeosciences, 22, 213–242, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-213-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-213-2025, 2025
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The 2022 fire season had a huge impact on European temperate forest, with several large fires exhibiting prolonged soil combustion reported. We analyzed CO and CO2 concentration recorded at nearby atmospheric towers, revealing intense smoldering combustion. We refined a fire emission model to incorporate this process. We estimated 7.95 Mteq CO2 fire emission, twice the global estimate. Fires contributed to 1.97 % of France's annual carbon footprint, reducing forest carbon sink by 30 % this year.
Pedro Henrique Herig Coimbra, Benjamin Loubet, Olivier Laurent, Laura Bignotti, Mathis Lozano, and Michel Ramonet
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 6625–6645, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-6625-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-6625-2024, 2024
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This study presents direct flux measurements in tall towers using existing slow-response analysers and adding 3D sonic anemometers. This way, we can significantly improve greenhouse gas monitoring with little extra instrumental effort. Slow-response analysers may be used here as the relevant frequency ranges depend on measuring height. Tall towers offer a large footprint, amplifying spatial coverage. The presented concept is a valuable bridge between atmospheric and ecosystem communities.
Marie Lothon, François Gheusi, Fabienne Lohou, Véronique Pont, Serge Soula, Corinne Jambert, Solène Derrien, Yannick Bezombes, Emmanuel Leclerc, Gilles Athier, Antoine Vial, Alban Philibert, Bernard Campistron, Frédérique Saïd, Jeroen Sonke, Julien Amestoy, Erwan Bargain, Pierre Bosser, Damien Boulanger, Guillaume Bret, Renaud Bodichon, Laurent Cabanas, Guylaine Canut, Jean-Bernard Estrampes, Eric Gardrat, Zaida Gomez Kuri, Jérémy Gueffier, Fabienne Guesdon, Morgan Lopez, Olivier Masson, Pierre-Yves Meslin, Yves Meyerfeld, Nicolas Pascal, Eric Pique, Michel Ramonet, Felix Starck, and Romain Vidal
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 6265–6300, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-6265-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-6265-2024, 2024
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The Pyrenean Platform for Observation of the Atmosphere (P2OA) is a coupled plain–mountain instrumented platform in southwestern France for the monitoring of climate variables and the study of meteorological processes in a mountainous region. A comprehensive description of this platform is presented for the first time: its instrumentation, the associated dataset, and a meteorological characterization the site. The potential of the P2OA is illustrated through several examples of process studies.
Noémie Taquet, Wolfgang Stremme, María Eugenia González del Castillo, Victor Almanza, Alejandro Bezanilla, Olivier Laurent, Carlos Alberti, Frank Hase, Michel Ramonet, Thomas Lauvaux, Ke Che, and Michel Grutter
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11823–11848, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11823-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11823-2024, 2024
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We characterize the variability in CO and CO2 emissions over Mexico City from long-term time-resolved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy solar absorption and surface measurements from 2013 to 2021. Using the average intraday CO growth rate from total columns, the average CO / CO2 ratio and TROPOMI data, we estimate the interannual variability in the CO and CO2 anthropogenic emissions of Mexico City, highlighting the effect of an unprecedented drop in activity due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Martti Honkanen, Mika Aurela, Juha Hatakka, Lumi Haraguchi, Sami Kielosto, Timo Mäkelä, Jukka Seppälä, Simo-Matti Siiriä, Ken Stenbäck, Juha-Pekka Tuovinen, Pasi Ylöstalo, and Lauri Laakso
Biogeosciences, 21, 4341–4359, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4341-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4341-2024, 2024
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The exchange of CO2 between the sea and the atmosphere was studied in the Archipelago Sea, Baltic Sea, in 2017–2021, using an eddy covariance technique. The sea acted as a net source of CO2 with an average yearly emission of 27.1 gC m-2 yr-1, indicating that the marine ecosystem respired carbon that originated elsewhere. The yearly CO2 emission varied between 18.2–39.2 gC m-2 yr-1, mostly due to the yearly variation of ecosystem carbon uptake.
Jinghui Lian, Olivier Laurent, Mali Chariot, Luc Lienhardt, Michel Ramonet, Hervé Utard, Thomas Lauvaux, François-Marie Bréon, Grégoire Broquet, Karina Cucchi, Laurent Millair, and Philippe Ciais
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 5821–5839, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-5821-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-5821-2024, 2024
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We have designed and deployed a mid-cost medium-precision CO2 sensor monitoring network in Paris since July 2020. The data are automatically calibrated by a newly implemented data processing system. The accuracies of the mid-cost instruments vary from 1.0 to 2.4 ppm for hourly afternoon measurements. Our model–data analyses highlight prospects for integrating mid-cost instrument data with high-precision measurements to improve fine-scale CO2 emission quantification in urban areas.
Josselin Doc, Michel Ramonet, François-Marie Bréon, Delphine Combaz, Mali Chariot, Morgan Lopez, Marc Delmotte, Cristelle Cailteau-Fischbach, Guillaume Nief, Nathanaël Laporte, Thomas Lauvaux, and Philippe Ciais
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2826, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2826, 2024
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Description of the network for measuring greenhouse gas concentrations in the Paris region and analysis of eight years of continuous monitoring.
Pierre Tulet, Joel Van Baelen, Pierre Bosser, Jérome Brioude, Aurélie Colomb, Philippe Goloub, Andrea Pazmino, Thierry Portafaix, Michel Ramonet, Karine Sellegri, Melilotus Thyssen, Léa Gest, Nicolas Marquestaut, Dominique Mékiès, Jean-Marc Metzger, Gilles Athier, Luc Blarel, Marc Delmotte, Guillaume Desprairies, Mérédith Dournaux, Gaël Dubois, Valentin Duflot, Kevin Lamy, Lionel Gardes, Jean-François Guillemot, Valérie Gros, Joanna Kolasinski, Morgan Lopez, Olivier Magand, Erwan Noury, Manuel Nunes-Pinharanda, Guillaume Payen, Joris Pianezze, David Picard, Olivier Picard, Sandrine Prunier, François Rigaud-Louise, Michael Sicard, and Benjamin Torres
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 3821–3849, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-3821-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-3821-2024, 2024
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The MAP-IO program aims to compensate for the lack of atmospheric and oceanographic observations in the Southern Ocean by equipping the ship Marion Dufresne with a set of 17 scientific instruments. This program collected 700 d of measurements under different latitudes, seasons, sea states, and weather conditions. These new data will support the calibration and validation of numerical models and the understanding of the atmospheric composition of this region of Earth.
Luiz A. T. Machado, Jürgen Kesselmeier, Santiago Botía, Hella van Asperen, Meinrat O. Andreae, Alessandro C. de Araújo, Paulo Artaxo, Achim Edtbauer, Rosaria R. Ferreira, Marco A. Franco, Hartwig Harder, Sam P. Jones, Cléo Q. Dias-Júnior, Guido G. Haytzmann, Carlos A. Quesada, Shujiro Komiya, Jost Lavric, Jos Lelieveld, Ingeborg Levin, Anke Nölscher, Eva Pfannerstill, Mira L. Pöhlker, Ulrich Pöschl, Akima Ringsdorf, Luciana Rizzo, Ana M. Yáñez-Serrano, Susan Trumbore, Wanda I. D. Valenti, Jordi Vila-Guerau de Arellano, David Walter, Jonathan Williams, Stefan Wolff, and Christopher Pöhlker
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 8893–8910, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8893-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8893-2024, 2024
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Composite analysis of gas concentration before and after rainfall, during the day and night, gives insight into the complex relationship between trace gas variability and precipitation. The analysis helps us to understand the sources and sinks of trace gases within a forest ecosystem. It elucidates processes that are not discernible under undisturbed conditions and contributes to a deeper understanding of the trace gas life cycle and its intricate interactions with cloud dynamics in the Amazon.
Fabian Maier, Christian Rödenbeck, Ingeborg Levin, Christoph Gerbig, Maksym Gachkivskyi, and Samuel Hammer
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 8183–8203, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8183-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8183-2024, 2024
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We investigate the usage of discrete radiocarbon (14C)-based fossil fuel carbon dioxide (ffCO2) concentration estimates vs. continuous carbon monoxide (CO)-based ffCO2 estimates to evaluate the seasonal cycle of ffCO2 emissions in an urban region with an inverse modeling framework. We find that the CO-based ffCO2 estimates allow us to reconstruct robust seasonal cycles, which show the distinct COVID-19 drawdown in 2020 and can be used to validate emission inventories.
Fabian Maier, Ingeborg Levin, Sébastien Conil, Maksym Gachkivskyi, Hugo Denier van der Gon, and Samuel Hammer
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 8205–8223, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8205-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8205-2024, 2024
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We assess the uncertainty in continuous fossil fuel carbon dioxide (ffCO2) estimates derived from carbon monoxide (CO) observations and radiocarbon (14CO2) flask measurements from an urban and a rural site. This study provides the basis for using continuous CO-based ffCO2 observations in atmospheric transport inversion frameworks to derive ffCO2 emission estimates. We also compare the flask-based CO / ffCO2 ratios with modeled ratios to validate an emission inventory for central Europe.
Rodrigo Rivera-Martinez, Pramod Kumar, Olivier Laurent, Gregoire Broquet, Christopher Caldow, Ford Cropley, Diego Santaren, Adil Shah, Cécile Mallet, Michel Ramonet, Leonard Rivier, Catherine Juery, Olivier Duclaux, Caroline Bouchet, Elisa Allegrini, Hervé Utard, and Philippe Ciais
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 4257–4290, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4257-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4257-2024, 2024
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We explore the use of metal oxide semiconductors (MOSs) as a low-cost alternative for detecting and measuring CH4 emissions from industrial facilities. MOSs were exposed to several controlled releases to test their accuracy in detecting and quantifying emissions. Two reconstruction models were compared, and emission estimates were computed using a Gaussian dispersion model. Findings show that MOSs can provide accurate emission estimates with a 25 % emission rate error and a 9.5 m location error.
Andreas Petzold, Ulrich Bundke, Anca Hienola, Paolo Laj, Cathrine Lund Myhre, Alex Vermeulen, Angeliki Adamaki, Werner Kutsch, Valerie Thouret, Damien Boulanger, Markus Fiebig, Markus Stocker, Zhiming Zhao, and Ari Asmi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 5369–5388, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5369-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5369-2024, 2024
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Easy and fast access to long-term and high-quality observational data is recognised as fundamental to environmental research and the development of climate forecasting and assessment services. We discuss the potential new directions in atmospheric sciences offered by the atmosphere-centric European research infrastructures ACTRIS, IAGOS, and ICOS, building on their capabilities for standardised provision of data through open access combined with tools and methods of data-intensive science.
Zhendong Wu, Alex Vermeulen, Yousuke Sawa, Ute Karstens, Wouter Peters, Remco de Kok, Xin Lan, Yasuyuki Nagai, Akinori Ogi, and Oksana Tarasova
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 1249–1264, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1249-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1249-2024, 2024
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This study focuses on exploring the differences in calculating global surface CO2 and its growth rate, considering the impact of analysis methodologies and site selection. Our study reveals that the current global CO2 network has a good capacity to represent global surface CO2 and its growth rate, as well as trends in atmospheric CO2 mass changes. However, small differences exist in different analyses due to the impact of methodology and site selection.
Christian Rödenbeck, Karina E. Adcock, Markus Eritt, Maksym Gachkivskyi, Christoph Gerbig, Samuel Hammer, Armin Jordan, Ralph F. Keeling, Ingeborg Levin, Fabian Maier, Andrew C. Manning, Heiko Moossen, Saqr Munassar, Penelope A. Pickers, Michael Rothe, Yasunori Tohjima, and Sönke Zaehle
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 15767–15782, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15767-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15767-2023, 2023
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The carbon dioxide content of the Earth atmosphere is increasing due to human emissions from burning of fossil fuels, causing global climate change. The strength of the fossil-fuel emissions is estimated by inventories based on energy data, but independent validation of these inventories has been recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Here we investigate the potential to validate inventories based on measurements of small changes in the atmospheric oxygen content.
Paolo Cristofanelli, Cosimo Fratticioli, Lynn Hazan, Mali Chariot, Cedric Couret, Orestis Gazetas, Dagmar Kubistin, Antti Laitinen, Ari Leskinen, Tuomas Laurila, Matthias Lindauer, Giovanni Manca, Michel Ramonet, Pamela Trisolino, and Martin Steinbacher
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 5977–5994, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5977-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5977-2023, 2023
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We investigated the application of two automatic methods for detecting spikes due to local emissions in greenhouse gas (GHG) observations at a subset of sites from the ICOS Atmosphere network. We analysed the sensitivity to the spike frequency of using different methods and settings. We documented the impact of the de-spiking on different temporal aggregations (i.e. hourly, monthly and seasonal averages) of CO2, CH4 and CO 1 min time series.
Douglas E. J. Worthy, Michele K. Rauh, Lin Huang, Felix R. Vogel, Alina Chivulescu, Kenneth A. Masarie, Ray L. Langenfelds, Paul B. Krummel, Colin E. Allison, Andrew M. Crotwell, Monica Madronich, Gabrielle Pétron, Ingeborg Levin, Samuel Hammer, Sylvia Michel, Michel Ramonet, Martina Schmidt, Armin Jordan, Heiko Moossen, Michael Rothe, Ralph Keeling, and Eric J. Morgan
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 5909–5935, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5909-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5909-2023, 2023
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Network compatibility is important for inferring greenhouse gas fluxes at global or regional scales. This study is the first assessment of the measurement agreement among seven individual programs within the World Meteorological Organization community. It compares co-located flask air measurements at the Alert Observatory in Canada over a 17-year period. The results provide stronger confidence in the uncertainty estimation while using those datasets in various data interpretation applications.
Jinghui Lian, Thomas Lauvaux, Hervé Utard, François-Marie Bréon, Grégoire Broquet, Michel Ramonet, Olivier Laurent, Ivonne Albarus, Mali Chariot, Simone Kotthaus, Martial Haeffelin, Olivier Sanchez, Olivier Perrussel, Hugo Anne Denier van der Gon, Stijn Nicolaas Camiel Dellaert, and Philippe Ciais
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 8823–8835, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8823-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8823-2023, 2023
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This study quantifies urban CO2 emissions via an atmospheric inversion for the Paris metropolitan area over a 6-year period from 2016 to 2021. Results show a long-term decreasing trend of about 2 % ± 0.6 % per year in the annual CO2 emissions over Paris. We conclude that our current capacity can deliver near-real-time CO2 emission estimates at the city scale in under a month, and the results agree within 10 % with independent estimates from multiple city-scale inventories.
Claudia Grossi, Daniel Rabago, Scott Chambers, Carlos Sáinz, Roger Curcoll, Peter P. S. Otáhal, Eliška Fialová, Luis Quindos, and Arturo Vargas
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 2655–2672, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2655-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2655-2023, 2023
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The automatic and low-maintenance radon flux system Autoflux, completed with environmental soil and atmosphere sensors, has been theoretically and experimentally characterized and calibrated under laboratory conditions to be used as transfer standard for in situ measurements. It will offer for the first time long-term measurements to validate radon flux maps used by the climate and the radiation protection communities for assessing the radon gas emissions in the atmosphere.
Ida Storm, Ute Karstens, Claudio D'Onofrio, Alex Vermeulen, and Wouter Peters
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 4993–5008, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4993-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4993-2023, 2023
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In this study, we evaluate what is in the influence regions of the ICOS atmospheric measurement stations to gain insight into what land cover types and land-cover-associated fluxes the network represents. Subsequently, insights about strengths, weaknesses, and potential gaps can assist in future network expansion decisions. The network is concentrated in central Europe, which leads to a general overrepresentation of coniferous forest and cropland and underrepresentation of grass and shrubland.
Rodrigo Andres Rivera Martinez, Diego Santaren, Olivier Laurent, Gregoire Broquet, Ford Cropley, Cécile Mallet, Michel Ramonet, Adil Shah, Leonard Rivier, Caroline Bouchet, Catherine Juery, Olivier Duclaux, and Philippe Ciais
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 2209–2235, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2209-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2209-2023, 2023
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A network of low-cost sensors is a good alternative to improve the detection of fugitive CH4 emissions. We present the results of four tests conducted with two types of Figaro sensors that were assembled on four chambers in a laboratory experiment: a comparison of five models to reconstruct the CH4 signal, a strategy to reduce the training set size, a detection of age effects in the sensors and a test of the capability to transfer a model between chambers for the same type of sensor.
Anna Agustí-Panareda, Jérôme Barré, Sébastien Massart, Antje Inness, Ilse Aben, Melanie Ades, Bianca C. Baier, Gianpaolo Balsamo, Tobias Borsdorff, Nicolas Bousserez, Souhail Boussetta, Michael Buchwitz, Luca Cantarello, Cyril Crevoisier, Richard Engelen, Henk Eskes, Johannes Flemming, Sébastien Garrigues, Otto Hasekamp, Vincent Huijnen, Luke Jones, Zak Kipling, Bavo Langerock, Joe McNorton, Nicolas Meilhac, Stefan Noël, Mark Parrington, Vincent-Henri Peuch, Michel Ramonet, Miha Razinger, Maximilian Reuter, Roberto Ribas, Martin Suttie, Colm Sweeney, Jérôme Tarniewicz, and Lianghai Wu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 3829–3859, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3829-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3829-2023, 2023
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We present a global dataset of atmospheric CO2 and CH4, the two most important human-made greenhouse gases, which covers almost 2 decades (2003–2020). It is produced by combining satellite data of CO2 and CH4 with a weather and air composition prediction model, and it has been carefully evaluated against independent observations to ensure validity and point out deficiencies to the user. This dataset can be used for scientific studies in the field of climate change and the global carbon cycle.
Ruhi S. Humphries, Melita D. Keywood, Jason P. Ward, James Harnwell, Simon P. Alexander, Andrew R. Klekociuk, Keiichiro Hara, Ian M. McRobert, Alain Protat, Joel Alroe, Luke T. Cravigan, Branka Miljevic, Zoran D. Ristovski, Robyn Schofield, Stephen R. Wilson, Connor J. Flynn, Gourihar R. Kulkarni, Gerald G. Mace, Greg M. McFarquhar, Scott D. Chambers, Alastair G. Williams, and Alan D. Griffiths
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 3749–3777, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3749-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3749-2023, 2023
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Observations of aerosols in pristine regions are rare but are vital to constraining the natural baseline from which climate simulations are calculated. Here we present recent seasonal observations of aerosols from the Southern Ocean and contrast them with measurements from Antarctica, Australia and regionally relevant voyages. Strong seasonal cycles persist, but striking differences occur at different latitudes. This study highlights the need for more long-term observations in remote regions.
Auke M. van der Woude, Remco de Kok, Naomi Smith, Ingrid T. Luijkx, Santiago Botía, Ute Karstens, Linda M. J. Kooijmans, Gerbrand Koren, Harro A. J. Meijer, Gert-Jan Steeneveld, Ida Storm, Ingrid Super, Hubertus A. Scheeren, Alex Vermeulen, and Wouter Peters
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 579–605, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-579-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-579-2023, 2023
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To monitor the progress towards the CO2 emission goals set out in the Paris Agreement, the European Union requires an independent validation of emitted CO2. For this validation, atmospheric measurements of CO2 can be used, together with first-guess estimates of CO2 emissions and uptake. To quickly inform end users, it is imperative that this happens in near real-time. To aid these efforts, we create estimates of European CO2 exchange at high resolution in near real time.
Alkuin M. Koenig, Olivier Magand, Bert Verreyken, Jerome Brioude, Crist Amelynck, Niels Schoon, Aurélie Colomb, Beatriz Ferreira Araujo, Michel Ramonet, Mahesh K. Sha, Jean-Pierre Cammas, Jeroen E. Sonke, and Aurélien Dommergue
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1309–1328, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1309-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1309-2023, 2023
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The global distribution of mercury, a potent neurotoxin, depends on atmospheric transport, chemistry, and interactions between the Earth’s surface and the air. Our understanding of these processes is still hampered by insufficient observations. Here, we present new data from a mountain observatory in the Southern Hemisphere. We give insights into mercury concentrations in air masses coming from aloft, and we show that tropical mountain vegetation may be a daytime source of mercury to the air.
Peter Bergamaschi, Arjo Segers, Dominik Brunner, Jean-Matthieu Haussaire, Stephan Henne, Michel Ramonet, Tim Arnold, Tobias Biermann, Huilin Chen, Sebastien Conil, Marc Delmotte, Grant Forster, Arnoud Frumau, Dagmar Kubistin, Xin Lan, Markus Leuenberger, Matthias Lindauer, Morgan Lopez, Giovanni Manca, Jennifer Müller-Williams, Simon O'Doherty, Bert Scheeren, Martin Steinbacher, Pamela Trisolino, Gabriela Vítková, and Camille Yver Kwok
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 13243–13268, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-13243-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-13243-2022, 2022
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We present a novel high-resolution inverse modelling system, "FLEXVAR", and its application for the inverse modelling of European CH4 emissions in 2018. The new system combines a high spatial resolution of 7 km x 7 km with a variational data assimilation technique, which allows CH4 emissions to be optimized from individual model grid cells. The high resolution allows the observations to be better reproduced, while the derived emissions show overall good consistency with two existing models.
Matthias Schneider, Benjamin Ertl, Qiansi Tu, Christopher J. Diekmann, Farahnaz Khosrawi, Amelie N. Röhling, Frank Hase, Darko Dubravica, Omaira E. García, Eliezer Sepúlveda, Tobias Borsdorff, Jochen Landgraf, Alba Lorente, André Butz, Huilin Chen, Rigel Kivi, Thomas Laemmel, Michel Ramonet, Cyril Crevoisier, Jérome Pernin, Martin Steinbacher, Frank Meinhardt, Kimberly Strong, Debra Wunch, Thorsten Warneke, Coleen Roehl, Paul O. Wennberg, Isamu Morino, Laura T. Iraci, Kei Shiomi, Nicholas M. Deutscher, David W. T. Griffith, Voltaire A. Velazco, and David F. Pollard
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 4339–4371, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-4339-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-4339-2022, 2022
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We present a computationally very efficient method for the synergetic use of level 2 remote-sensing data products. We apply the method to IASI vertical profile and TROPOMI total column space-borne methane observations and thus gain sensitivity for the tropospheric methane partial columns, which is not achievable by the individual use of TROPOMI and IASI. These synergetic effects are evaluated theoretically and empirically by inter-comparisons to independent references of TCCON, AirCore, and GAW.
Fabian Maier, Christoph Gerbig, Ingeborg Levin, Ingrid Super, Julia Marshall, and Samuel Hammer
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 5391–5406, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-5391-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-5391-2022, 2022
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We show that the default representation of point source emissions in WRF–STILT leads to large overestimations when modelling fossil fuel CO2 concentrations for a 30 m high observation site during stable atmospheric conditions. We therefore introduce a novel point source modelling approach in WRF-STILT that takes into account their effective emission heights and results in a much better agreement with observations.
Sieglinde Callewaert, Jérôme Brioude, Bavo Langerock, Valentin Duflot, Dominique Fonteyn, Jean-François Müller, Jean-Marc Metzger, Christian Hermans, Nicolas Kumps, Michel Ramonet, Morgan Lopez, Emmanuel Mahieu, and Martine De Mazière
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7763–7792, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7763-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7763-2022, 2022
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A regional atmospheric transport model is used to analyze the factors contributing to CO2, CH4, and CO observations at Réunion Island. We show that the surface observations are dominated by local fluxes and dynamical processes, while the column data are influenced by larger-scale mechanisms such as biomass burning plumes. The model is able to capture the measured time series well; however, the results are highly dependent on accurate boundary conditions and high-resolution emission inventories.
Scott D. Chambers, Alan D. Griffiths, Alastair G. Williams, Ot Sisoutham, Viacheslav Morosh, Stefan Röttger, Florian Mertes, and Annette Röttger
Adv. Geosci., 57, 63–80, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-57-63-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-57-63-2022, 2022
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There is a growing need in health and climate research for high-quality radon observations. A variety of radon monitors, with different uncertainties, operate across global networks. Better compatibility between the measurements is required. Here we describe a novel, portable two-filter radon monitor with a calibration traceable to the International System of Units, and demonstrate the transfer of a traceable calibration from this instrument to a separate monitor under field conditions.
Carlos Alberti, Frank Hase, Matthias Frey, Darko Dubravica, Thomas Blumenstock, Angelika Dehn, Paolo Castracane, Gregor Surawicz, Roland Harig, Bianca C. Baier, Caroline Bès, Jianrong Bi, Hartmut Boesch, André Butz, Zhaonan Cai, Jia Chen, Sean M. Crowell, Nicholas M. Deutscher, Dragos Ene, Jonathan E. Franklin, Omaira García, David Griffith, Bruno Grouiez, Michel Grutter, Abdelhamid Hamdouni, Sander Houweling, Neil Humpage, Nicole Jacobs, Sujong Jeong, Lilian Joly, Nicholas B. Jones, Denis Jouglet, Rigel Kivi, Ralph Kleinschek, Morgan Lopez, Diogo J. Medeiros, Isamu Morino, Nasrin Mostafavipak, Astrid Müller, Hirofumi Ohyama, Paul I. Palmer, Mahesh Pathakoti, David F. Pollard, Uwe Raffalski, Michel Ramonet, Robbie Ramsay, Mahesh Kumar Sha, Kei Shiomi, William Simpson, Wolfgang Stremme, Youwen Sun, Hiroshi Tanimoto, Yao Té, Gizaw Mengistu Tsidu, Voltaire A. Velazco, Felix Vogel, Masataka Watanabe, Chong Wei, Debra Wunch, Marcia Yamasoe, Lu Zhang, and Johannes Orphal
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 2433–2463, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2433-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2433-2022, 2022
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Space-borne greenhouse gas missions require ground-based validation networks capable of providing fiducial reference measurements. Here, considerable refinements of the calibration procedures for the COllaborative Carbon Column Observing Network (COCCON) are presented. Laboratory and solar side-by-side procedures for the characterization of the spectrometers have been refined and extended. Revised calibration factors for XCO2, XCO and XCH4 are provided, incorporating 47 new spectrometers.
Sonya L. Fiddes, Matthew T. Woodhouse, Steve Utembe, Robyn Schofield, Simon P. Alexander, Joel Alroe, Scott D. Chambers, Zhenyi Chen, Luke Cravigan, Erin Dunne, Ruhi S. Humphries, Graham Johnson, Melita D. Keywood, Todd P. Lane, Branka Miljevic, Yuko Omori, Alain Protat, Zoran Ristovski, Paul Selleck, Hilton B. Swan, Hiroshi Tanimoto, Jason P. Ward, and Alastair G. Williams
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 2419–2445, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2419-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2419-2022, 2022
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Coral reefs have been found to produce the climatically relevant chemical compound dimethyl sulfide (DMS). It has been suggested that corals can modify their environment via the production of DMS. We use an atmospheric chemistry model to test this theory at a regional scale for the first time. We find that it is unlikely that coral-reef-derived DMS has an influence over local climate, in part due to the proximity to terrestrial and anthropogenic aerosol sources.
Anna-Maria Virkkala, Susan M. Natali, Brendan M. Rogers, Jennifer D. Watts, Kathleen Savage, Sara June Connon, Marguerite Mauritz, Edward A. G. Schuur, Darcy Peter, Christina Minions, Julia Nojeim, Roisin Commane, Craig A. Emmerton, Mathias Goeckede, Manuel Helbig, David Holl, Hiroki Iwata, Hideki Kobayashi, Pasi Kolari, Efrén López-Blanco, Maija E. Marushchak, Mikhail Mastepanov, Lutz Merbold, Frans-Jan W. Parmentier, Matthias Peichl, Torsten Sachs, Oliver Sonnentag, Masahito Ueyama, Carolina Voigt, Mika Aurela, Julia Boike, Gerardo Celis, Namyi Chae, Torben R. Christensen, M. Syndonia Bret-Harte, Sigrid Dengel, Han Dolman, Colin W. Edgar, Bo Elberling, Eugenie Euskirchen, Achim Grelle, Juha Hatakka, Elyn Humphreys, Järvi Järveoja, Ayumi Kotani, Lars Kutzbach, Tuomas Laurila, Annalea Lohila, Ivan Mammarella, Yojiro Matsuura, Gesa Meyer, Mats B. Nilsson, Steven F. Oberbauer, Sang-Jong Park, Roman Petrov, Anatoly S. Prokushkin, Christopher Schulze, Vincent L. St. Louis, Eeva-Stiina Tuittila, Juha-Pekka Tuovinen, William Quinton, Andrej Varlagin, Donatella Zona, and Viacheslav I. Zyryanov
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 179–208, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-179-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-179-2022, 2022
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The effects of climate warming on carbon cycling across the Arctic–boreal zone (ABZ) remain poorly understood due to the relatively limited distribution of ABZ flux sites. Fortunately, this flux network is constantly increasing, but new measurements are published in various platforms, making it challenging to understand the ABZ carbon cycle as a whole. Here, we compiled a new database of Arctic–boreal CO2 fluxes to help facilitate large-scale assessments of the ABZ carbon cycle.
Jari Walden, Liisa Pirjola, Tuomas Laurila, Juha Hatakka, Heidi Pettersson, Tuomas Walden, Jukka-Pekka Jalkanen, Harri Nordlund, Toivo Truuts, Miika Meretoja, and Kimmo K. Kahma
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 18175–18194, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-18175-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-18175-2021, 2021
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Ship emissions play an important role in the deposition of gaseous compounds and nanoparticles (Ntot), affecting climate, human health (especially in coastal areas), and eutrophication. Micrometeorological methods showed that ship emissions were mainly responsible for the deposition of Ntot, whereas they only accounted for a minor proportion of CO2 deposition. An uncertainty analysis applied to the fluxes and fuel sulfur content results demonstrated the reliability of the results.
Ingeborg Levin, Ute Karstens, Samuel Hammer, Julian DellaColetta, Fabian Maier, and Maksym Gachkivskyi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 17907–17926, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-17907-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-17907-2021, 2021
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The radon tracer method is applied to atmospheric methane and radon observations from the upper Rhine valley to independently estimate methane emissions from the region. Comparison of our top-down results with bottom-up inventory data requires high-resolution footprint modelling and representative radon flux data. In agreement with inventories, observed emissions decreased, but only until 2005. A limitation of this method is that point-source emissions are not captured or not fully captured.
Erika Brattich, Hongyu Liu, Bo Zhang, Miguel Ángel Hernández-Ceballos, Jussi Paatero, Darko Sarvan, Vladimir Djurdjevic, Laura Tositti, and Jelena Ajtić
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 17927–17951, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-17927-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-17927-2021, 2021
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In this study we analyse the output of a chemistry and transport model together with observations of different meteorological and compositional variables to demonstrate the link between sudden stratospheric warming and transport of stratospheric air to the surface in the subpolar regions of Europe during the cold season. Our findings have particular implications for atmospheric composition since climate projections indicate more frequent sudden stratospheric warming under a warmer climate.
Martti Honkanen, Jens Daniel Müller, Jukka Seppälä, Gregor Rehder, Sami Kielosto, Pasi Ylöstalo, Timo Mäkelä, Juha Hatakka, and Lauri Laakso
Ocean Sci., 17, 1657–1675, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-1657-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-1657-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2) between the sea and the atmosphere is regulated by the gradient of CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) between the sea and the air. The daily variation of the seawater pCO2 recorded at the fixed station Utö in the Baltic Sea was found to be mainly biologically driven. Calculation of the annual net exchange of CO2 between the sea and atmosphere based on daily measurements of pCO2 carried out using the same sampling time every day could introduce a bias of up to 12 %.
Cited articles
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Short summary
A European-wide 222radon/222radon progeny comparison study has been conducted at nine measurement stations in order to determine differences between existing 222radon instrumentation and atmospheric data sets, respectively. Mean differences up to 45 % were found between monitors. These differences need to be taken into account if the data shall serve for quantitative regional atmospheric transport model validation.
A European-wide 222radon/222radon progeny comparison study has been conducted at nine...
