Global Atmosphere Watch Measurements Guide
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WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION GLOBAL ATMOSPHERE WATCH No. 143 GLOBAL ATMOSPHERE WATCH MEASUREMENTS GUIDE JULY 2001 WMO TD No. 1073 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................1 2. GASES .........................................................................................................................3 2.1 Greenhouse Gases...........................................................................................3 2.1.1 Carbon Dioxide.................................................................................................3 2.1.2 Methane ...........................................................................................................6 2.1.3 Chlorofluorocarbons..........................................................................................9 2.1.4 Nitrous Oxide ..................................................................................................11 2.2 Ozone..............................................................................................................15 2.2.1 Total Column Ozone .......................................................................................15 2.2.2 Ozonesondes..................................................................................................18 2.2.3 Surface Ozone ................................................................................................20 2.3 Reactive Gases...............................................................................................23 2.3.1 Carbon Monoxide............................................................................................23 2.3.2 Sulphur Dioxide..............................................................................................26 2.3.3 Nitrogen Oxides ..............................................................................................29 3. AEROSOLS AND OPTICAL DEPTH.........................................................................33 3.1 Aerosol Mass and Chemistry .........................................................................36 3.2 In-Situ Measurements of Aerosol Radiative Properties ..................................39 3.3 Condensation Nuclei.......................................................................................41 3.4 Cloud Condensation Nuclei.............................................................................43 3.5 Aerosol Optical Depth .....................................................................................45 3.6 Aerosol Lidar...................................................................................................48 4. ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION ..................................................................................50 4.1 Wet Deposition................................................................................................50 4.2 Dry Deposition.................................................................................................52 5. RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES .................................................................................55 5.1 Radon-222 ......................................................................................................55 5.2 Krypton-85.......................................................................................................56 5.3 Lead-210.........................................................................................................58 5.4 Beryllium-7 ......................................................................................................60 6. SOLAR RADIATION ..................................................................................................63 6.1 Solar Radiation Measurements.......................................................................63 6.2 Ultraviolet Radiation........................................................................................66 i 7. OTHER MEASUREMENTS........................................................................................71 7.1 Volatile Organic Compounds ..........................................................................71 7.2 Persistent Organic Pollutants..........................................................................74 7.3 Heavy Metals ..................................................................................................76 7.4 Meteorological Parameters .............................................................................78 ANNEX A: WMO Secretariat ANNEX B: Web Sites ii 1. INTRODUCTION The WMO's Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) integrates many monitoring and research activities involving the measurement of the chemical and physical properties of the atmosphere. GAW serves as an early warning system to detect further changes in atmospheric concentrations including acidity and toxicity of rain as well as atmospheric burden of aerosols. This system, approved in June 1989 by the WMO Executive Council, will provide framework design, standards, intercalibrations, and data collection systems for global monitoring and data evaluation. The following is a short overview of the GAW programme: Objective To monitor the long-term evolution of the atmospheric composition on a global and regional scale in order to assess this contribution to climate change and environmental issues. Major Goals To co-ordinate and assess atmospheric chemistry measurements and associated physical parameters in relation to climate change (greenhouse gases, ozone and aerosols). To evaluate the influence of atmospheric chemistry on the environment including transboundary and urban pollution (air quality, acid deposition, stratospheric ozone depletion and increasing UV radiation). Parameters Greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, CFCs, methane, nitrous oxide, tropospheric ozone) Ozone (surface, total column, vertical profile by both ground-based and satellite) Solar radiation including ultraviolet Precipitation chemistry Chemical and physical properties of aerosols including optical depth Reactive gases (carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds) Persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals Radionuclides (krypton-85, radon-222, beryllium-7, lead-210) Meteorological parameters Network GAW Global stations: 22 stations that are usually situated in remote locations, have very low background levels of pollutants that are representative of large geographic areas, and continuously measure a broad range of atmospheric parameters over decades; typically related to climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion. GAW Regional stations: about 400 stations representing smaller geographic regions that are not affected by nearby sources of pollution such as vehicular and industrial combustion or agricultural activities; data are typically applied to more regional issues such as acid deposition, transport of trace gases and aerosols, and local UV radiation. Contributing and Associate stations co-operate with GAW and submit data to the World Data Centres. 1 Modelling Support atmospheric modelling of transboundary transport of pollutants, UV modelling/UV Index calculations and urban pollution transport. Satellite Close co-operation with satellite programmes measuring trace components, especially ozone and aerosols. Activities The GAW programme is implemented through: Technical meetings, workshops and conferences Publications, data collection and assessments Training and technology transfer especially for developing countries Quality assurance activities - instrument calibrations/intercomparisons Twinning partnerships. Supporting Structure WMO Members WMO Secretariat Scientific Advisory Groups (SAG) for Aerosols Greenhouse gases Ozone Precipitation chemistry UV Radiation GAW Urban Research Meteorology and Environment Project (GURME) Quality Assurance Science Activity Centres (QA/SAC) QA/SAC Germany QA/SAC Switzerland QA/ SAC USA QA/SAC Japan GAW World Calibration Centres Centres established for carbon dioxide, total column ozone, surface ozone, vertical ozone, solar radiation, precipitation chemistry, carbon monoxide, aerosols, optical depth, radioactivity WMO World Data Centres (WDC) Aerosols (WDCA) in Ispra, Italy (EU) Greenhouse gases and other trace gases (WDCGG) in Japan Precipitation Chemistry (WDCPC) in the USA Solar Radiation (WRDC) in Russia Surface Ozone (WDCSO) in Norway UV Radiation and Ozone (WOUDC) in Canada WMO GAW Ozone Mapping Centre (WO3DC) in Greece Planning A Strategy for the Implementation of the GAW through the year 2007 is being implemented. The following Guide provides short overviews of selected GAW measurement parameters as a quick reference source for administrators and scientists. 2 2. GASES 2.1 Greenhouse Gases 2. 1. 1. Carbon Dioxide Importance Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is one of the most common and important trace gases in the earth- ocean-atmosphere system. It has both natural and anthropogenic sources. Within the natural carbon cycle, CO2 plays a key role in a number of biological processes. Coal, oil, natural gas, and wood are mostly carbon, so combustion of these fuels releases CO2 into the atmosphere, and this has been the cause of the continuous increase in atmospheric CO2 abundance over the last several decades. Because of CO2's role as one of the more important greenhouse gases, scientists have attempted to understand its potential impact on climate and global change. Site Requirements Atmospheric CO2 is one of the required measurements made at global sites under the GAW programme.