Carbon Cycle Greenhouse Gases

U.S. Dept. of Commerce / NOAA / OAR / CMDL / CCGG

To obtain detailed understanding of the short term as well as long term variations of the greenhouse gases, CCGG makes on-site measurements at the four NOAA/CMDL baseline observatories, which are far from any pollution sources affecting the gases of interest.

NOAA/CMDL Baseline Observatories

• CMDL Baseline Observatories
  World map showing the locations of the baseline observatories (GIF file, 33K).
• Barrow, Alaska
  
• Mauna Loa, Hawaii
  

  Photos of CCGG Equipment in the NDSC building at Mauna Loa.

  • The NDSC Building.The CCGG room is at the far left under the roof decking.
  • View of MLO from part way up the sampling tower. The NDSC building is on the right, the Keeling building on the left.
  • Sampling Tower.
  • Clamps used for sample lines on the tower.
  • The CCGG equipment room.
  • The CO2 measurement equipment and data acquisition.
  • Rear view of CO2 Rack
  • Back of CO2 Rack.Shows cabling going to VXI Data Acquisition Unit.
  • Back view of air sample pump box and CO2 flow control box.
  • Reference Gas Tanks for CO2.
  • CH4 and CO Gas Chromatographs
  • Front view of CH4 Gas Chromatograph.
  • Front view of CO Gas Chromatograph.
  • Back of the CH4 and CO Gas Chromatographs.
  • Closeup of CH4 Load/Inject Valve
  • CO and CH4 sample stream selection valves
  • Freezer for removal of water from air sample.
  • Flask Sampling Box for taking flask samples from in-situ air sample lines.
  • SIO CO2 analysis equipment.
  • The Computer used for controlling the analysis systems.
  • Closeup of Computer monitor. A CH4 chromatogram is visible.
• American Samoa
  
• South Pole, Antarctica
  

Observatory Measurement Species

• Carbon Dioxide
  
• Methane
  
• Carbon Monoxide