![]() Chevallier explains: “Surface measurements of CO 2 tend to sample the lowest part of the atmosphere with high accuracy. LSCE has been leading on new research, in partnership with colleagues from the OCO-2 science team. ![]() Maps of CO 2 sources and sinks deduced from these observations depend on exactly how raw data are processed, and had been of limited accuracy.Ĭombatting this challenge is Frédéric Chevallier from the Laboratory for Sciences of Climate and Environment ( LSCE) in France, which coordinates the greenhouse-gas fluxes aspect of CAMS. Satellites generate huge quantities of raw data, but rely upon complex numerical modelling to create reliable observations of CO 2. The observation of CO 2 concentrations in the atmosphere requires exceptionally fine detection capabilities and processing quality. (Credit: Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, ECMWF) in the Tropics), but consistent patterns in Eurasia and Northern America. There are some differences where surface measurements are sparse (e.g. The top map uses surface measurements, while the bottom one uses satellite observations. Estimated natural fluxes for 2016, in grams of carbon per square meter per annum, with sources shown in orange and sinks in blue. Complementing this has been an effort to greatly increase the amount of data available by using dedicated satellites, such as the Japanese Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite ( GOSAT) and NASA’s second Orbiting Carbon Observatory ( OCO-2). These fluxes result from the sum of CO 2 sinks, such as oceans and photosynthesis by plants, and of CO 2 sources, including the respiration of vegetation. CAMS, which is implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) on behalf of the EU, and its precursor projects have used data from more than 100 sites around the world to map the ’surface net fluxes’. As a primary driver for climate change, it is more vital than ever that we have access to accurate information about the levels of CO 2 in our atmosphere and about its sources and sinks.Īmbitious research using data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) will allow the quality of CO 2 surface flux estimates inferred from satellite observations to be as good as the quality of estimates obtained via ground-based monitoring, and will introduce benefits only made possible by using space-based instruments.įor decades, scientists have been measuring CO 2 concentrations. In 2018, more than 10 billion tonnes of carbon were released into Earth’s atmosphere by the combustion of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide (CO 2) is the main greenhouse gas produced as a result of human activities.
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