Detecting fossil fuel emissions patterns from subcontinental regions using North American in situ CO2 measurements. Issue 12 (24th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shiga, Yoichi P.; Michalak, Anna M.; Gourdji, Sharon M.; Mueller, Kim L.; Yadav, Vineet
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 41:Issue 12(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 4381
• Page End: 4388
• Publication Date: 2014-06-24
• Subjects: Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2014GL059684
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The ability to monitor fossil fuel carbon dioxide (FFCO₂) emissions from subcontinental regions using atmospheric CO₂ observations remains an important but unrealized goal. Here we explore a necessary but not sufficient component of this goal, namely, the basic question of the detectability of FFCO₂ emissions from subcontinental regions. Detectability is evaluated by examining the degree to which FFCO₂ emissions patterns from specific regions are needed to explain the variability observed in high‐frequency atmospheric CO₂ observations. Analyses using a CO₂ monitoring network of 35 continuous measurement towers over North America show that FFCO₂ emissions are difficult to detect during nonwinter months. We find that the compounding effects of the seasonality of atmospheric transport patterns and the biospheric CO₂ flux signal dramatically hamper the detectability of FFCO₂ emissions. Results from several synthetic data case studies highlight the need for advancements in data coverage and transport model accuracy if the goal of atmospheric measurement‐based FFCO₂ emissions detection and estimation is to be achieved beyond urban scales.</p> </abstract>