WP 1.1: In situ monitoring of CO2 and CH4
in the European boundary layer and real-time data
Objectives
 |
CO2 and CH4 measurement in the atmospheric boundary layer across Europe |
| |
Intercomparison round robin experiments to interlink European data sets (and US) |
| |
Implementation of a near real-time data availability for CO2 and CH4 |
| |
Addition of new flask sample stations and air-borne vertical profiles for CO2 and CH4 |
CO2 and CH4 measurement in the atmospheric boundary layer across Europe
The objective of this activity is to consolidate a European network of high-precision surface monitoring for CO2 and CH4. GEOmon provides basic support for intercomparisons and data gathering at 25 stations, not currently funded by other programs.
Intercomparison round robin experiments to interlink European data sets (and US) for CH4
In order not to duplicate work which is already done within other European project like CARBOEUROPE and IMECC, we decided to include within GEOmon only stations, which are not already taking part in the these intercomparison activities. The figure below summarizes the circulation of the high-pressure tanks within CARBOEUROPE/IMECC.
Within GEOmon we are creating an additional loop organized by LSCE in Gif-sur Yvette. A guideline, how to analyse the tanks was written. Each lab has 4 weeks to analyse the tanks and ship them to next partner. Four week after the shipping of the tanks the laboratory should report the results to Martina Schmidt at LSCE.
The CH4 round-robin experiment has been started on December 2007. Two high pressure cylinders with their pressure regulators have been prepared and anlayzed at LSCE. The circulation of the cylinders has been revised during the Geomon annual meeting. The intercomparison loop will be extended to include both CARIBIC program (WP1.2), AGAGE network and the World Calibration Center for CH4 at EMPA. On the other hand the cylinders will not be shipped to Voiekov site due to the difficulty to export high pressure cylinders in Russia. Consequently, the circulation loop of the two cylinders is:
Gif/Yvette (LSCE) – Egham (RHUL) – Mace Head (AGAGE) – Zurich (EMPA) – Mainz (CARIBIC) – Gif/Yvette (LSCE) – Cape Point (CSIR)
The table below summarizes the stations/laboratories participating in the CH4 measurements. Column 3 and 4 show those participating in the GEOmon (or CE/IMECC) Round Robin experiments. Column 5 and 6 summarize the laboratories, which have participated in the WMO or Methmoniteur Round Robin experiments during the years 2002-2005. These laboratories met already the WMO target for CH4 interlaboratory intercomparisn of ±2 ppb.
Station |
Institute |
GEOmon |
CE/IMECC |
WMO |
Methmoniteur |
MHD |
UBRIS |
|
X |
|
|
TRN |
LSCE |
|
X |
X |
X |
CBW |
ECN |
|
X |
|
|
HNG |
ELU |
|
X |
|
|
BIA |
MPI-BGC |
|
X |
X |
|
OXK |
MPI-BGC |
|
X |
X |
|
PAL |
FMI |
|
X |
|
X |
EGH |
RHUL |
X |
|
|
X |
VOE |
RCARS |
X |
|
|
X |
CPT |
CPT |
X |
|
X |
|
GIF |
LSCE |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Mainz |
MPI |
X |
|
|
|
Zuerich |
EMPA |
X |
|
X |
|
Implementation of a near real-time data availability for CO2 and CH4
Preliminary, near real-time (NRT) data for CO2 and CH4 are collected at a ftp server at LSCE on a daily basis. By now (status of November 2008), CO2 daily files are received from 16 stations, some of these (co-) sustained by IMECC and CARBOEUROPE. 9 stations are also providing meteorological data, and 6 are providing CH4.
The near real-time data can be visualized at 
.
Addition of new flask sample stations and air-borne vertical profiles for CO2 and CH4
- Surface flask sampling has begun in Cyprus.
- Vertical airborne CO2 profiles in Fyodoroskoy, western Russia have been performed once a month since February 2007.
- A new site will be identified in Zimbabwe for background sampling.
