Accurate measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane mole fractions at the Siberian coastal site Ambarchik

Sparse data coverage in the Arctic hampers our understanding of its carbon cycle dynamics and our predictions of the fate of its vast carbon reservoirs in a changing climate. In this paper, we present accurate measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide ( CO 2 ) and methane ( CH 4 ) dry air mole frac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Main Authors: F. Reum, M. Göckede, J. V. Lavric, O. Kolle, S. Zimov, N. Zimov, M. Pallandt, M. Heimann
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2019
Subjects:
Environmental engineering
TA170-171
Earthwork. Foundations
TA715-787
Arctic
Arctic Ocean
Kolyma
East Siberian Sea
Ambarchik
Barrow
kolyma river
taiga
Tundra
Alaska
Siberia
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-5717-2019
https://doaj.org/article/76399a40d27c4012bdf8ce796fc273bf
Description
Summary:Sparse data coverage in the Arctic hampers our understanding of its carbon cycle dynamics and our predictions of the fate of its vast carbon reservoirs in a changing climate. In this paper, we present accurate measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide ( CO 2 ) and methane ( CH 4 ) dry air mole fractions at the new atmospheric carbon observation station Ambarchik, which closes a large gap in the atmospheric trace gas monitoring network in northeastern Siberia. The site, which has been operational since August 2014, is located near the delta of the Kolyma River at the coast of the Arctic Ocean. Data quality control of CO 2 and CH 4 measurements includes frequent calibrations traced to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) scales, employment of a novel water vapor correction, an algorithm to detect the influence of local polluters, and meteorological measurements that enable data selection. The available CO 2 and CH 4 record was characterized in comparison with in situ data from Barrow, Alaska. A footprint analysis reveals that the station is sensitive to signals from the East Siberian Sea, as well as the northeast Siberian tundra and taiga regions. This makes data from Ambarchik highly valuable for inverse modeling studies aimed at constraining carbon budgets within the pan-Arctic domain, as well as for regional studies focusing on Siberia and the adjacent shelf areas of the Arctic Ocean.

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