Atmospheric CO2 and Isotopic Measurements from Arrival Heights Since 1996

Annual atmospheric samples from Arrival Heights, Ross Island, Antarctica, provide carbon dioxide (CO2) mixing ratios and 13C/12C isotopic ratios. The dataset contains 12 to 18 samples collected each year since December 1996. Measurements are maintained by SCIOPS and traceable to World Meteorological Organisation scales.

Use Cases

• Analyzing long-term trends in CO2 mixing ratio to model atmospheric carbon accumulation.
• Studying 13C/12C isotopic ratios to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic carbon sources.
• Correlating annual sample collection timing with seasonal atmospheric conditions in Antarctica.
• Validating global climate models using traceable WMO-scale measurements from a remote polar site.

Strengths

• Long-term record spanning over 25 years since December 1996.
• Annual collection of 12 to 18 samples provides consistent temporal resolution.
• Measurements are traceable to the authoritative World Meteorological Organisation CO2 scales.
• Samples are collected from the clean air sector, aiming for representative background data.

Limitations

• Sample size is limited to 12-18 data points per year.
• Geographic scope is restricted to a single site at Arrival Heights, Ross Island.
• Unknown data completeness or potential gaps in the annual collection series.

Provenance

Source

nasa_earthdata, organization SCIOPS.

Collection Method

Small dry whole air samples (2L) collected by a pump system, dried with magnesium perchlorate, and analyzed for CO2 mixing ratio and 13C/12C isotopic ratio.

Time Range

December 1996 to present.

Freshness

Annual update frequency.

Geography

Arrival Heights, Ross Island, Antarctica.