Cited by 154Atmospheric and Environmental Gas DynamicsSpectroscopy and Laser ApplicationsAtmospheric chemistry and aerosols

Differential column measurements using compact solar-tracking spectrometers

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Chen, Jia, Viatte, Camille, Hedelius, Jacob K., Jones, Taylor, Franklin, Jonathan E., Parker, Harrison, Gottlieb, Elaine W., Wennberg, Paul O. +2 more·2016·Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

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Abstract

Abstract. We demonstrate the use of compact solar-tracking Fourier transform spectrometers (Bruker EM27/SUN) for differential measurements of the column-averaged dry-air mole fractions of CH4 and CO2 within urban areas. Using Allan variance analysis, we show that the differential column measurement has a precision of 0.01 % for XCO2 and XCH4 with an optimum integration time of 10 min, corresponding to Allan deviations of 0.04 ppm and 0.2 ppb, respectively. The sensor system is very stable over time and after relocation across the continent. We report tests of the differential column measurement, and its sensitivity to emission sources, by measuring the downwind-minus-upwind column difference ΔXCH4 across dairy farms in the Chino area, California, and using the data to verify emissions reported in the literature. Ratios of spatial column differences ΔXCH4∕ΔXCO2 were observed across Pasadena within the Los Angeles basin, indicating values consistent with regional emission ratios from the literature. Our precise, rapid measurements allow us to determine significant short-term variations (5–10 min) of XCO2 and XCH4 and to show that they represent atmospheric phenomena.Overall, this study helps establish a range of new applications for compact solar-viewing Fourier transform spectrometers. By accurately measuring the small differences in integrated column amounts across local and regional sources, we directly observe the mass loading of the atmosphere due to the influence of emissions in the intervening locale. The inference of the source strength is much more direct than inversion modeling using only surface concentrations and less subject to errors associated with small-scale transport phenomena.

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Hedelius, J. K., Viatte, C., Wunch, D., Roehl, C., Toon, G. C., Chen, J., Jones, T., Wofsy, S. C., Franklin, J. E., Parker, H., Dubey, M. K., and Wennberg, P. O.: Assessment of errors and biases in re- trievals of X CO2 , X CH4 , X CO , and X N 2 O from a 0.5 cm -1 reso- lution solar viewing spectrometer, Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., doi:10.5194/amt-2016-39, in review, 2016. · DOI
  2. McCrea, W. and Whipple, F.: Random Paths in Two and Three Di- mensions, Proc. R. Soc. Edin., 60, 281-298, 1940.

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Authors
Chen, J., Viatte, C., Hedelius, J. K., Jones, T., Franklin, J. E., Parker, H., Gottlieb, E. W., Wennberg, P. O., Dubey, M. K., & Wofsy, S. C.
Affiliations
  • Harvard University (US)
  • California Institute of Technology (US)
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory (US)
Corresponding author
Chen, Jia
Venue
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Published
2016-07-12
Volume
16
Issue
13
Pages
8479-8498
ISSN
  • 1680-7316 (ISSN-L)
  • 1680-7324
OpenAlex
W2285532094
Cited by
143
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 2
FWCI
7.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Atmospheric chemistry and physics (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • CaltechAUTHORS (California Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • mediaTUM – the media and publications repository of the Technical University Munich (Technical University Munich) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • mediaTUM – the media and publications repository of the Technical University Munich (Technical University Munich) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (1337512)
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • European Commission (291763)
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (291763)
  • Technische Universität München (291763)
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Spectroscopy › Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols
Keywords
methane, carbon dioxide, urban air quality, Allan variance, measurement precision, emission verification, Los Angeles Basin, source strength

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