Detecting how COVID-19 reduces anthropogenic CO2 emissions in the atmosphere
4. Mai 2020
Near real time data of atmospheric concentration of CO2 at the ICOS tower near Gartow, Germany. The scatter is the result of the atmospheric transport, bringing air masses from different areas with higher or lower emissions. The variability has been decreased during the past two months (red square).
Near real time data of atmospheric concentration of CO2 at the ICOS tower near Gartow, Germany. The scatter is the result of the atmospheric transport, bringing air masses from different areas with higher or lower emissions. The variability has been decreased during the past two months (red square).
Scientists of the European ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System) network addressed the question on how the reduction of anthropogenic fossil fuel emissions, caused by the current Corona crisis, may be detectable based on measurements of ICOS stations. ICOS scientists Werner Kutsch, Alex Vermeulen and Ute Karstens compiled an easily understandable report on measurable Corona effects on CO2 emissions. They also envision how the endeavors to fight against infection and an economic collapse might ideally lead to flattening the CO2 emissions curve in parallel to flattening the infection curve.
As member of the ICOS network, our Jena-based calibration lab ICOS-FCL is crucial for allowing high precision and high accuracy measurements of the pan-European greenhouse gas measurement sites.
Contact at MPI-BGC:
Dr. Armin Jordan
Head ICOS-CAL
Phone: +49 (0)3641 57 - 6403
ajordan@bgc-jena.mpg.de
