Trends of climate forcing Gases at selected Sites in Europe and Worldwide
CO2
N2O
Synopsis
Time series with atmospheric concentrations of four
relevant climate forcing gases: carbon dioxide (CO2),
methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and sulfur hexafluoride
(SF6) are shown for a number of selected sites in Europe and
worldwide. The tendency of the measured monthly
averages in general shows coincidence with the world trend
of the emission data, which has been determined by the
WMO data center.
However as seen with the time series of the German
emission data it is not possible to detect emission changes
of a source area like Germany in measured time series at
Schauinsland or Zugspitze station.
Carbon Dioxide Trend, 1957-2011, Schauinsland, Zugspitze,
Mauna Loa, World, monthly averages.
Nitrous Oxide Trend, 1957-2011, Schauinsland, Zugspitze,
Mauna Loa, World, monthly averages.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Germany (blue) and World (red).
Nitrous Oxide Emissions, Germany (blue) and World (red).
Growth Rates CO2, World (red) – Zugspitze (blue).
CH4
Growth Rates N2O, World (red) – Zugspitze (blue).
SF6
As being a purely anthropogenic pollution, SF6 shows a clear
difference of measured atmospheric concentration levels at
differently situated sites. The lowest levels are represented
by the WMO world trend which takes into account the
predominant proportion of sea surface which is lacking of
emissions. Slightly higher concentrations are seen at a
typical sea side measurement station like Mace Head. This
concentration level again is surpassed by SF6 concentrations
which are measured at a continental background station in
higher altitude like Zugspitze. Finally the relatively highest
levels are measured at a continental station like
Schauinsland at a lower elevation (1200m) closer to
populated source regions.
A similar pattern in the relationship between the placement
of the measurement site and measured concentration levels
is repeated with the time series of atmospheric
concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4).
It has to be mentioned that nitrous oxide and methane both
have additional natural sources which are focused on the
continental ground and the soil. Yet also these sources are
influenced anthropogenically to a relativley high extent.
The most abundant climate forcing gas carbon dioxide does
not repeat this pattern so far. In this case the measured time
series of the different sites are fairly closer together. The
two continental stations Schauinsland and Zugspitze show a
stronger annual variation of CO2 concentrations because of
fast sources (mainly anthropogenic) and sinks (mainly
vegetation). Apparently the oceanic measurement station
Mauna Loa is less influenced by the annual variation of fast
sources and sinks. Finally the mean of the world trend
shows a tendency to have a lower carbon dioxide level than
the continental stations.
Conclusion
Methane Trend, 1957-2011, Schauinsland, Zugspitze, Mauna
Loa, World, monthly averages.
Methane Emissions, Germany (blue) and World (red).
Growth Rates CH4, World (red) – Zugspitze (blue).
Hexafluoride, 1957-2011, Schauinsland, Zugspitze, Mauna
Loa, World, monthly averages.
Hexafluoride Emissions, Germany (blue) and World (red).
Growth Rates SF6, World (red) – Zugspitze (blue).
The reduction of the emissions of the presented climate
forcing gases as being reported for Germany does not cause
a measurable decline of the atmospheric concentrations of
these gases. It only causes a slower increase. This can be
shown with measurements of the Federal Environment
Agency which are taken since 1972 at Schauinsland and
since 1994 on Zugspitze and at Neuglobsow station north of
Berlin. This comparison shows that the relationship
between trends of emissions and determined changes of
atmospheric concentrations are not well understood.
This raises the question whether a solution can be found by
the combination of a set of consecutive measurement
stations in a larger area in Europe including the area of
Germany and by the continuous determination of the
source strength of this set of stations for the related area. It
is questionable whether such a continuous extended
monitoring service over a longer time period can help
environmental politics for a more sensitive and sincere
detection of the effects of changing emissions.
Data:
Climate Forcing Gases: Time series, representing
atmospheric concentrations of monthly mean values of
climate forcing gases: WDCGG Database.
Emission Data from Germany and Worldwide: Edgar
database.
World Trend with atmospheric concentrations of climate
forcing gases: GAW Data centre, Tokyo, forwarded by
personal communication of WMO/GAW Secretary, Geneva.
GAW Report No. 184, Technical Report of Global Analysis
Method for Major Greenhouse Gases by the World Data
Center for Greenhouse Gases.
German global and regional GAW stations.
[email protected], [email protected],
[email protected] Federal Environment Agency, Germany,
Zugspitze 5, D-82475 Zugspitze, www.schneefernerhaus.de