Analysis of spatial and temporal variations of carbon dioxide over China using SCIAMACHY satellite observations during 2003–2005

Abstract

This study aims to assess CO₂ levels in China, based on the dry air column-averaged mixing ratios of CO₂ measured by the Scanning Imaging Absorption spectrometer for Atmospheric CartograpHY (SCIAMACHY) instrument on board ENVISAT and emission inventories. A land cover and statistical data set, the Regional emission inventory in Asia (REAS), was also used in this study. The results show that the spatial variations of the CO₂ concentration in the whole of China are obvious, and with clear seasonal fluctuation during 2003–2005. The monthly averaged variability of CO₂ over China fluctuates, with the peak occurring in April to May and the trough occurring in August to October. The largest peak-to-trough amplitude was about 16 ppm in this period. The spatial and temporal variations of CO₂ had a strong correlation with anthropogenic CO₂ emissions and regional terrestrial ecosystem, as well as local meteorological conditions. This paper illustrates that satellite data are promising for obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the variations of atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and of CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere.

Acknowledgements

We thank ESA for providing us with the SCIAMACHY level 3 data and National Bureau of Statistics of China for providing us with the ground data. Funding support partially from The State Key Fundamental Science Funds of China (2010CB950702 and 2010CB428503), The State High Technology Funds of China (2009AA122001 and 2009AA122005), State Key International Cooperation Project (20073819), The State Key Basic Research Funds of China (2007FY110300-04 and 08) NSF-China Project (40671132 and 30590383), and the Key Project of Zhejiang Province (2008C13 G2100010).