Abstract
Abstract. We present results from an intercomparison program of CO2, δ(O2/N2) and δ13CO2 measurements from atmospheric flask samples. Flask samples are collected on a bi-weekly basis at the High Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch in Switzerland for three European laboratories: the University of Bern, Switzerland, the University of Groningen, the Netherlands and the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena, Germany. Almost 4 years of measurements of CO2, δ(O2/N2) and δ13CO2 are compared in this paper to assess the measurement compatibility of the three laboratories. While the average difference for the CO2 measurements between the laboratories in Bern and Jena meets the required compatibility goal as defined by the World Meteorological Organization, the standard deviation of the average differences between all laboratories is not within the required goal. However, the obtained annual trend and seasonalities are the same within their estimated uncertainties. For δ(O2/N2) significant differences are observed between the three laboratories. The comparison for δ13CO2 yields the least compatible results and the required goals are not met between the three laboratories. Our study shows the importance of regular intercomparison exercises to identify potential biases between laboratories and the need to improve the quality of atmospheric measurements.
Highlights
EgllloibnagllsytusdpieresaudselothcaetiaoOtmnscosteophaeesnrtiicmSmacteeaiescuanrrebcmoenenfltsufxreosm, wmhaincyh the required compatibility goal as defined by the World Me- are subsequently used in climate models to understand and teorological Organization, the standard deviation of the av- predict climate change
For δ13CO2, it is not reached within all laboratories, as it is difficult to reach with currently available techniques. δ(O2/N2) measurements are in general very challenging
The main global intercomparison program for δ(O2/N2) measurements is the Global Oxygen Laboratories Link Ultra-precise Measurements (Gollum) program, in which sets of 3 cylinders are shipped around the world that are measured in the 11 laboratories currently able to perform high precision δ(O2/N2) measurements
Summary
The High Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch is located at 7◦59 20 E, 46◦32 53 N in the Swiss Alps. It is situated at an altitude of 3580 m a.s.l. on a mountain saddle between the mountains Jungfrau and Monch (http://www.ifjungo.ch). Due to its high elevation, the station is situated above the planetary boundary layer most of the time and the air is mainly influenced by the free troposphere, representing atmospheric background conditions of continental Europe. A flask sampling program was started on site in 2000 by the University of Bern, initially on a bi-weekly basis, and later on the frequency was increased to weekly sampling. Background air and to minimize the influence of uplifted air masses from the boundary layer (Uglietti et al, 2008)
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