Metadata details

CSIRO_AR_GASLAB

All scientific data collected by the Australian Antarctic program (AAp) are eventually described in the Catalogue of Australian Antarctic and Subantarctic Metadata (CAASM). CAASM can be used to search through AAp data descriptions, and it also provides links to access publicly available datasets, which can either be immediately downloaded or obtained from the Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AADC).

Citation
Krummel, P., Steele, P. and Langenfelds, R. (2000) Concentration and isotopic measurements of radiatively important gases in the southern atmosphere, Ver. 1, Australian Antarctic Data Centre - https://data.aad.gov.au/metadata/CSIRO_AR_GASLAB, Accessed: 2026-09-07
Title
Concentration and isotopic measurements of radiatively important gases in the southern atmosphere
Data Centre
Australian Antarctic Data Centre, Australia
Created Date
2000-07-05
Revision Date
2017-04-26
Expected Date of Data Release
2000-07-05
Data Version
1
Parent record
None

Datasets and documents

    Related links

    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.

    Show more...

    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

    Spatial Coverages

    Latitude

    Northernmost:
    -41.0
    Southernmost:
    -90.0

    Longitude

    Westernmost:
    62.0
    Easternmost:
    159.0

    Science Keywords

    Additional Keywords

    • CARBON DIOXIDE
    • CARBON ISOTOPES
    • CARBON MONOXIDE
    • CH4
    • CO
    • CO2
    • FLASK
    • GREENHOUSE GASES
    • H
    • HYDROGEN
    • METHANE
    • NITROUS OXIDE
    • NO
    • O
    • OXYGEN

    Locations

    • CONTINENT > AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND
    • OCEAN > SOUTHERN OCEAN
    • CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA
    • GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR
    • GEOGRAPHIC REGION > SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

    Platforms

    • FIELD SURVEYS
    • GROUND STATIONS
    • LABORATORY

    Instruments

    • FLASKS
    • GAS CHROMATOGRAPHS

    Researchers

    • krummel, paul (TECHNICAL CONTACT,DIF AUTHOR)
    • steele, paul (INVESTIGATOR)
    • langenfelds, ray (TECHNICAL CONTACT)

    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.

    Project

      ISO Topic

      • CLIMATOLOGY/METEOROLOGY/ATMOSPHERE

      Dataset Language

      • English

      Orignating Centre

      • CSIRO

      Dataset Progress

      • IN WORK

      IDN Node

      • AMD/AU
      • CEOS
      • AMD

      Publications

      • Battle M., Bender M.L., Tans PP., White J.W.C., Ellis J.T., Conway T., Francey RJ. (2000) Global carbon sinks and their variability inferred from atmospheric O 2 and d 13 C, Science, 287(5462), 2467-2470
      • Francey R.J., Pearman G.I., Beardsmore D.J. (1988) A southern view of the global atmosphere., Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 122(1), 113-119
      • Tans P., Francey R., Pearman G. (1986) Large scale variations in 18 O of Tropospheric CO2., Baseline 1983-1984, 10
      • Francey R., Goodman H. (1988) The DAR stable isotope reference scale for CO2., Baseline 1986, 40
      • Francey R., Tans P. (1987) The latitudinal variation of oxygen-18 of atmospheric CO 2., Nature, 327(6122), 495-497
      • Francey R., Fraser P., Pearman G. (1989) The CSIRO meridional gradient study of CO2 isotopes., Geophysical Monitoring for Climate Change (NOAA) 1988 Annual Report 17, 91
      • Etheridge D.M., Steele L.P., Langenfelds R.L., Francey R.J., Barnola J.-M., Morgan V.I. (1996) Natural and anthropogenic changes in atmospheric CO 2 over the last 1000 years from air in Antarctic ice and firn., Journal of Geophysical Research, 101(D2), 4115-4128
      • Allison C.E., Francey R.J., Langenfelds R.L., Welch E.D. (1994) High precision comparison of Cape Grim CO 2 stable isotope measurements using two mass spectrometers., Dick A.L., Gras J.L. Baseline Atmospheric Program (Australia) 1991, 10-19
      • Francey R.J., Allison C.E., Steele L.P., Langenfelds R.L., Welch E.D., White J.W.C., Trolier M., Tans P.P., Masarie K.A. (1994) Intercomparison of stable isotope measurements of CO2., Peterson J.T., Rosson R.M. Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory CMDL No. 22 Summary Report 1993, 106-110
      • Bender M., Ellis T., Tans P.P., Francey R.J., Lowe D.M. (1996) Variability in the O 2/N 2 ratio of Southern Hemisphere air, 1991-1994: implications for the carbon cycle., Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 10, 9-21
      • Enting I.G., Trudinger C.M., Francey R.J. (1995) A synthesis inversion of the concentration and d 13 C atmospheric CO 2., Tellus, 47B, 35-52
      • Francey R.J., Steele L.P., Langenfelds R.L., Lucarelli M., Allison C.E., Beardsmore D.J., Coram S.A., Derek N., de Silva F., Etheridge D.M., Fraser P.J., Henry R.J., Turner B., Welch E.D. (1996) Global Atmospheric Sampling Laboratory (GASLAB): supporting and extending the Cape Grim trace gas programs., Francey R.J., Dick A.L., Derek N. Baseline Atmospheric Program (Australia) 1993, 8-29
      • Francey R.J., Tans P.P., Allison C.E., Enting I.G., White J.W.C., Trolier M. (1995) Changes in oceanic and terrestrial carbon uptake since 1982 (Letter)., Nature, 373(6512), 326-330
      • Levchenko V.A., Francey R.J., Etheridge D.M., Tuniz C., Head J., Morgan V.I., Lawson E., Jacobson G. (1996) The 14C 'bomb spike' determines the age spread and age of CO2 in Law Dome firn and ice., Geophysical Research Letters, 23(23), 3345-48
      • Etheridge D.M., Pearman G.I., Fraser P.J. (1992) Changes in tropospheric methane between 1841 and 1978 from a high accumulation-rate Antarctic ice core., Tellus, 44B, 282-294
      • Levchenko V.A., Etheridge D.M., Francey R.J., Trudinger C., Tuniz C., Lawson E.M., Smith A.M., Jacobsen G.E., Hua Q., Hotchkis M.A.C., Fink D., Morgan V., Head J. (1997) Measurements of the 14C02 bomb pulse in firn and ice at Law Dome, Antarctica., Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B(123), 290-295
      • Allison C.E., Francey R.J., Meijer H.A.J. (1995) Recommendations for the reporting of stable isotope measurements of carbon and oxygen in CO2 gas., Reference and Intercomparison Materials for Stable Isotopes of Light Elements., TECDOC-825, 155-162
      • Ciais P., Tans P., White J.W., Francey R., Trolier M., Berry J., Randall D., Sellers P., Collatz J., Schimmel D. (1995) The global carbon budget inferred from a new worldwide data set of delta 13C measurements in atmospheric CO 2., Journal of Geophysical Research, 100(D3), 5051-5070
      • Ciais P., Tans P.P., Trolier M., White J.W.C., Francey R.J. (1995) A large northern hemisphere terrestrial CO 2 sink indicated by 13 C/12 C ratio of atmospheric CO 2., Science, 269, 1098-1102
      • Smolskaia I., Nunez M., Michael K. (1999) Measurements of Erythemal Irradiance near Davis Station, Antarctica: Effect of Inhomogeneous Surface Albedo, Geophysical Research Letters, 26(10), 1381-1384
      • Craven M., Allison I. (1998) Firnification and the effects of wind packing on Antarctic snow., Annals of Glaciology, 27, 239-245
      • Ciais P., Denning A.S., Tans P.P., Berry J.A., Randall D.A., Collatz G.J., Sellers P.J., White J.W.C., Trolier M., Meijer H.A.J., Francey R.J., Monfray P., Heimann M. (1997) A three-dimensional synthesis study of d 180 in atmospheric CO 2. 1. Surface fluxes., Journal of Geophysical Research, 102(D5), 5857-5872
      • Ciais P., Tans P.P., Denning A.S., Francey R.J., Trolier M., Meijer H.A.J., White J.W.C., Berry J.A., Randall D.A., Collatz G.J., Sellers P.J., Monfray P., Heimann M. (1997) A three-dimensional synthesis study of d 180 in atmospheric CO 2. 2. Simulations with the TM2 transport model., Journal of Geophysical Research, 102(D5), 5873-5883
      • Etheridge D.M., Steele L.P., Francey R.J., Langenfelds R.L. (1998) Atmospheric methane between 1000 A.D. and present: evidence of anthropogenic emissions and climatic variability., Journal of Geophysical Research, 103(D13), 15979-15993
      • Trudinger C.M., Enting I.G., Etheridge D.M., Francey R.J., Levchenko V.A., Steele L.P., Raynaud D., Arnaud L. (1997) Modelling air movement and bubble trapping in firn, Journal of Geophysical Research, 102(D6), 6747-6763
      • Ayers G.P., Gillett R.W., Cainey J.M., Dick A.L. (1999) Chloride and bromide loss from sea-salt particles in Southern Ocean air., Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 33(3), 299 - 319
      • Swan H.B., Ivey J.P. (1999) Evaluation of two sulphur specific detectors for the measurement of dimethylsulfide gas concentrations at Macquarie Island and Cape Grim during ACE-1, Gras J.L., Derek N., Tindale N.W., Dick A.L. Baseline Atmospheric Program Australia 1999, 15-23
      • Trudinger C.M., Enting I.G., Francey R.J., Etheridge D.M. (1999) Long term variability in the global carbon cycle inferred from a high precision CO2 and d13C ice core record., Tellus, 51B, 233-248
      • Rayner P.J., Enting I.G., Francey R.J., Langenfelds R.L. (1999) Reconstructing the recent carbon cycle from trace gas observations., Tellus, 51B, 213-232
      • Francey R.J., Allison C.E., Etheridge D.M., Trudinger C.M., Enting I.G., Leuenberger M., Langenfelds R.L., Michel E., Steele L.P. (1999) A 1000 year high precision record of d13C in atmospheric CO2., Tellus, 51B, 170-193
      • Francey R.J., Rayner P.J., Allison C.E. (2001) Constraining the global carbon budget from global to regional scales - the measurement challenge., In: E. D. Schulze, and others Global Biogeochemical Cycles in the Climate System, 245-252
      • Langenfelds R.L., Francey R.J., Pak B.C., Steele L.P., Lloyd J., Trudinger C.M., Allison C.E. (2002) Interannual growth rate variations of atmospheric CO2 and its delta 13C, H2, CH4 and CO between 1992 and 1999 linked to biomass burning., Global Biogeochemical cycles, 16(3), 1048, doi:10.1029/2001GB001466

      Metadata Revision History

        Updated information including new name for our Division (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric research), new investigator and technical contact and add updated URLs to the data and our web page. NOTE the laboratory URL will have to be updated once a new CMAR website is fully setup! 2007-09-25 - Dave Connell updated the metadata record after new data were submitted for the project. 2009-05-01 - record updated by Dave Connell from information provided in the progress report. 2011-02-24 - record updated by Dave Connell to link new data for the project. 2009-01-16 - record updated by Dave Connell to add a direct link to the data. 2012-05-31 - record updated by Dave Connell after new data were provided by Paul Krummel. 2017-03-22 - record updated by Dave Connell - basic updates.

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