1. Australian Antarctic Data Centre
2. Discover and Manage Data
3. Records
4. CSIRO_AR_GASLAB

Description

Australian Antarctic Division project #124 monitors the background level of major greenhouse gases, and related species (carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide isotopes, oxygen), at a number of Antarctic sites.

Samples of air are collected and returned to CSIRO Atmospheric Research for analysis. Radiocarbon and oxygen are measured by international collaborators.

Approximately 4 samples are collected from each station per month.

The greenhouse gases released by human activity and most implicated in global climate change, are long lived and well mixed in the atmosphere. The Antarctic regions, remote from industrial and land plant activity are ideally located to measure result of global changes in the gases. The CSIRO sampling network represents the most comprehensive, long running Southern hemisphere program. With continuing innovation in measurement and interpretive models, it is ideally positioned to detect possible climate induced regional changes in carbon uptake, as well as monitor global changes. It also provides essential background information to the new challenge of monitoring integrated emissions from the Australian continent.

Data from this project have also been incorporated into State of the Environment Indicator 11, Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gas species. See the link below for further details.

The download file contains both the individual flask data measurements and also monthly means derived from these. The monthly mean data are presented in the State Of Environment indicator linked below. The monthly mean files are labelled sss_mm.xxx where sss is the site code and xxx is the species identifier. An example for Cape Grim for Methane would be cga_mm.ch4.

A number of readme files are also provided in the download for further information.

Taken from the 2008-2009 Progress Report:
Progress against objectives:
Concentrations of CO2, CO, CH4, H2, and N2O, and the isotopes 13C and 18O in CO2, have been made in flask air samples collected at ~2 week intervals at Mawson, Casey, and Macquarie Island.
In addition, at Macquarie Island, continuous CO2 measurements and sampling for the O2/N2 ratio and the 14C isotope of CO2 were made.
The data have been calibrated and quality controlled for incorporation into global data sets, for use in detecting spatial and temporal trends and in model inversions to infer fluxes.

Quality

See the readme files associated with the downloadable dataset for further information.

Taken from the 2008-2009 Progress Report:
The data have been calibrated and quality controlled for incorporation into global data sets, for use in detecting spatial and temporal trends and in model inversions to infer fluxes.

Variations to work plan or objectives:
We are looking at improving measurement frequency and accuracy and at the same time reducing operating demands by installing continuous monitoring instruments. Examples are presently being assessed and trailed at CSIRO and might prove suitable for installation into the Antarctic program within 1 or 2 years.

Field work:
Marcel van der Schoot (CSIRO MAR) travelled on Voyage 5 in March 2009 for 2 main purposes:
1. At Davis station, to conduct an assessment of the station for future installation of new atmospheric monitoring equipment as part of our upgrading of Southern Ocean and Antarctic monitoring program (see above). The assessment included a survey of general area for potential sites, identification of contamination sources and potential logistics issues. Three existing building sites were identified as potential suitable locations for installation of new analysers.
2. At Macquarie Island, to conduct an annual maintenance and upgrade of the CSIRO 'LoFlo' continuous CO2 analyser: performing a range of instrumental servicing and calibration tests: annual service of internal Li-cor chemicals, calibrations, installing modifications to gas supply system, pump servicing, inspection/maintenance of CSIRO flask pump unit, instrumental training to BoM staff, conducted full inventory of spare components and chemicals, infrastructure inspection, data download, return of used compressed air cylinders and air samples from CSIRO GASLAB flask program and Heidelberg 14C program.

Laboratory activity/analysis:
Analysis at CSIRO and partners (Uni Heidelberg and Princeton Uni) for all air and CO2 samples listed in 1.1. Measurements are usually available within 6 months of sample return to lab.

Access

These data are available for download from the provided URL. Also see the related State of the Environment indicator linked below.

Temporal Coverages

• Start date: 1984-05-01 - Stop date:

Spatial Coverages

Science Keywords

• EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY > TRACE GASES/TRACE SPECIES
• EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY > CARBON AND HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS > ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE
• EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY > CARBON AND HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS > ATMOSPHERIC CARBON MONOXIDE
• EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY > CARBON AND HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS > METHANE
• EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY > NITROGEN COMPOUNDS > NITROUS OXIDE
• EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY > OXYGEN COMPOUNDS > MOLECULAR OXYGEN

Use Constraints

This data set conforms to the CCBY Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Please follow instructions listed in the citation reference provided at http://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/metadata/citation.cfm?entry_id=CSIRO_AR_GASLAB when using these data.