Organization(s):

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL)

What does this program measure?

The NOAA CMDL CCGG cooperative global air sampling network is an international effort, and includes regular discrete air flask samples from both Mauna Loa Observatory and Cape Kumukahi, Hawaii. Complete information about the program is available at http://gml.noaa.gov/ccgg/flask.html.

The program measures the following (where ppm is parts-per-million, ppb is parts-per-billion, ppt is parts-per-trillion, pm is per-million, and per mil is per-thousand):

How does this program work?

Flask samples are taken at Mauna Loa Observatory and Cape Kumukahi, Hawaii, and are sent to the NOAA ESRL GMD laboratory in Boulder, Colorado. They are then analyzed with the following techniques:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is measured by nondispersive infrared absorption;
• Methane (CH₄) is measured by gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detection;
• Carbon monoxide (CO) is measured by GC with mercuric oxide (HgO) reduction detection;
• Hydrogen (H₂) is also measured by GC with HgO detection;
• Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) use GC with electron capture detection;
• Carbon-13 (¹³C) / Carbon-12 (¹²C) and isotopes ¹⁸O / ¹⁶O use mass spectrometry.

Why is this research important?

In order to determine temporal and spatial variations in the global atmosphere, deduce better estimates of sources and sinks, and better understand the carbon cycle.

Are there any trends in the data?

Carbon dioxide is increasing by ~1.5 parts per million per year;

Methane was increasing, but has been nearly constant for the past 2 years;

Nitrous oxide and sulphur hexaflouride are increasing. Sulfur hexaflouride (SF₆) is the most potent greenhouse gas on a molecule-to-molecule basis, and has an atmospheric lifetime of about 3,000 years! But, since SF₆ concentrations are relatively low at present, their greenhouse effet will not be felt for many years. SF₆ is used in the electrical power transmission industry and its sources are mainly in the northern hemisphere.

Carbon-13 / Carbon-12 is decreasing.

How does this program fit into the big picture?

What is it's role in global climate change?

The CCGG flask sample network consists of the sites shown on the map below (click map to enlarge).



Carbon dioxide is the most important anthropogenic “greenhouse gas” (it produces about 60% of present day greenhouse gas climate forcing), followed by methane (about 20%). Nitrous oxide and sulphur hexaflouride are also infrared absorbers. Carbon monoxide affects the greenhouse gases through its atmospheric chemistry. A better understanding of the carbon cycle is crucial to make informed decisions about future climate and energy policies.

Comments and References

More information, plus many figures, are available from the CCGG web site.