geomon
Global Earth Observation and Monitoring
of the Atmosphere

 

Data integration


Data integration is a combination of all topics
One important strategy of GEOmon is the integration of different types of measurements of atmospheric composition at different altitudes. This will enable greater understanding and application of each different type of measurement, increasing our knowledge of the atmosphere
The monitoring of atmospheric composition requires atmospheric measurements at global and local scale. Satellite measurements that provide global fields of atmospheric species need to be validated by quality-controlled measurements at ground-based stations located throughout the world.

Ground-based observations include in situ and remote sensing measurements.
  • In situ instruments measure atmospheric species at the location of the instrument, generally on the ground but balloon borne or airborne instruments measure atmospheric species at the balloon or aircraft location during the flight.
  • Remote-sensing instruments measure the total amount of atmospheric species between the ground and the top of the atmosphere or the vertical distribution of atmospheric species as a function of altitude.

In addition to measurements, models that simulate atmospheric composition are used to understand changes in the abundance of atmospheric species composition and identify the causes of these changes. Model simulations need to be validated by atmospheric measurements.

1. Data Collection - Instrumentation

GEOmon measures the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), ozone (O3), in the atmosphere as well as the quantity of aerosols (suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air), wind speed, temperature and other meterological conditions.

2. Models and simulations

What is a model? How does it work? See this page to see answers and two videos about climate models.

3. Data compared with models and simulations

Look at satellite observations of NO2 atmospheric concentration and compare them with model simulations.

4. Data integration and simulation (or assimilation)

Data assimilation is the combination of information from observations and models of a particular physical system

How does GEOmon improve knowledge in assessing the state of the atmosphere?

A major objective of GEOmon is to provide European ground-based observations of various atmospheric species in order to quantify ongoing changes in atmospheric composition. The project includes innovative ground-based measurements provided by upward looking UV-visible, FTIR-spectrometers and Lidar instruments, and through a systematic measurement programme of upper-tropospheric composition, CARIBIC.

These data are used to quantify and reduce errors in satellite observations and to facilitate interpretation of the measurements of species in combination with surface data. Integration techniques and modeling tools are also used in order to add value to the GEOmon data observations, to facilitate their use in satellite validation and to help design a optimal network for monitoring atmospheric composition in the future.
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