| Details: |
Global warming is a major concern for survival on the Earth. The increase of greenhouse gases (GHG) since the pre-industrial era has led to an enhancement in the absorption and emission of infrared radiation by GHGs, leading to the overall warming of the earth’s surface. Understanding the sources and sinks of these GHGs is therefore the primary concern of mankind. Observations of column-averaged abundances of GHGs are a key aspect in regard of improving our knowledge of the carbon cycle. Ground-based infrared solar absorption measurements provide a reference dataset for satellite validation (e.g. GOSAT, OCO-II), time series maps of GHGs, model inter-comparisons and inversion studies estimating the emissions of the GHGs. In this talk the measurement and analysis of the column-averaged abundances of GHGs from ground based atmospheric measurements using low cost, robust and mobile FTIR spectrometers, Bruker EM27SUN, will be presented. The instrument records the solar absorption spectra in the near-infrared spectral region. Furthermore, a demonstration of the sensitivity of the instrument will be given as well as comparison results with respect to a TCCON (Total Carbon Column Observing Network) network instrument measuring the same GHGs will be shown. These instruments build up an extension to the existing TCCON network in the form of “COCCON (Collaborative Carbon Column Observing Network)” initiated by KIT. The network’s aim and methodology will be discussed and the potential of establishing such a network will be explored. In addition recent results from a field campaign dedicated to the observation of CO2 emissions of the megacity Berlin will be presented. |