Overview
Since its inception in 1992, the Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network’s aircraft program has been dedicated to collecting air samples in vertical profiles over North America. The program's mission is to capture seasonal and inter-annual changes in trace gas mixing ratios throughout the boundary layer and free troposphere (up to 8000m/26,000 ft). At present, most aircraft program flights collect 12 flask samples at different altitudes (up to 13,279 m/43,555 ft). These samples are stored in glass flasks for later analysis of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Methane (CH4), Molecular Hydrogen (H2), and Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6), as well as isotopes of CO2 and CH4, and multiple Halo- and Hydrocarbons.
Data collected by the aircraft program provide a view of how the large-scale horizontal and vertical distribution of the measured trace gases change throughout a given year over the continent. The large-scale, three-dimensional picture of how trace mixing ratios change throughout the year has provided a means to estimate the contribution of the North America continent to the atmospheric concentration of long-lived tracers like carbonyl sulfide and CO2 (e.g Montzka et al. 2007 and Crevoisier et al. 2010) and an essential benchmark for forward and inverse modeling (i.e. Stephens et al. 2007; Yang et al., 2007; Peters et al. 2007; Maddy et al. 2008; Xiong et al. 2008; Campbell et al. 2008).
Project Goals
To facilitate a broad-scale sampling program across North America it was important to establish a sampling protocol that would not require technical expertise at the sampling sites. This was accomplished by developing a portable, automated system for obtaining air samples that can be quickly shipped back to NOAA/ESRL for carefully calibrated and quality-controlled measurements. At a predetermined altitude, the sampling system is simply activated by a toggle switch that is easily accessible to the pilot. Time, location and auxiliary variables such as temperature and relative humidity are logged with each sample and downloaded into the NOAA/ESRL database when the samples are returned to the laboratory.
The aircraft program is actively pursuing alternative sampling strategies. Intensive sampling campaigns are focused on specific processes such as Lagrangian flux experiments or fossil fuel emission validation experiments. Additionally, work is being done to pursue in-situ measurements on commercial aircraft. It is anticipated that data resulting from commercial aircraft will significantly enhance the frequency and spatial distribution of profiles.
Sampling frequency and height distribution varies at each site, but samples are collected from 500 m above ground to 8000 m above sea level at the majority of aircraft sites. While sampling flights have been conducted at some sites as often as two to three times per week, sample flights at most sites are only carried out once every two to three weeks.
Sites
Code | Name | Lat | Lon | Elevation (masl) | First Sample Date | Most Recent Sample Date | Status | Bottom altitude (m) | Top altitude (m) | Average Flight Frequency1 (days) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAO | Airborne Aerosol Observatory, Bondville, Illinois | 40.0500 | -88.3700 | 230.00 | 2006-06-07 | 2009-09-18 | Terminated | 374 | 4860 | 4 |
ACG | Alaska Coast Guard | 57.7366 | -152.5042 | 6.00 | 2009-04-30 | 2023-06-13 | Ongoing | 0 | 9291 | 105 |
BGI | Bradgate, Iowa | 42.8200 | -94.4100 | 355.10 | 2004-09-13 | 2005-11-18 | Terminated | 599 | 8075 | 14 |
BNE | Beaver Crossing, Nebraska | 40.8000 | -97.1800 | 465.90 | 2004-09-15 | 2011-05-11 | Terminated | 597 | 8157 | 27 |
CAR | Briggsdale, Colorado | 40.6347 | -104.3269 | 1488.00 | 1992-11-09 | 2023-09-12 | Ongoing | 1586 | 11879 | 21 |
CMA | Offshore Cape May, New Jersey | 38.8300 | -74.3200 | 0.00 | 2005-08-17 | 2023-09-19 | Ongoing | 247 | 8143 | 14 |
CRV | Carbon in Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment (CARVE) | 64.9863 | -147.5980 | 611.43 | 2017-04-26 | 2017-11-05 | Terminated | 2 | 7850 | 9 |
DND | Dahlen, North Dakota | 47.5000 | -99.2400 | 472.44 | 2004-09-21 | 2016-11-15 | Terminated | 518 | 8131 | 19 |
ESP | Estevan Point, British Columbia | 49.3830 | -126.5441 | 7.00 | 2002-11-22 | 2023-09-08 | Ongoing | 18 | 5820 | 15 |
ETL | East Trout Lake, Saskatchewan | 54.3541 | -104.9868 | 493.00 | 2005-10-15 | 2023-09-17 | Ongoing | 599 | 7823 | 22 |
FAM | FAAM Aircraft | -99.9999 | -999.9999 | -9999.99 | 2014-07-09 | 2015-05-12 | Terminated | 129 | 2000 | 38 |
FTL | Fortaleza | -3.5200 | -38.2800 | 3.00 | 2000-12-09 | 2003-03-25 | Terminated | 152 | 4267 | 93 |
FWI | Fairchild, Wisconsin | 44.6600 | -90.9600 | 334.30 | 2004-09-20 | 2005-11-18 | Terminated | 590 | 8073 | 14 |
HAA | Molokai Island, Hawaii | 21.2300 | -158.9500 | 3.00 | 1999-05-31 | 2008-04-22 | Terminated | 4 | 8104 | 21 |
HFM | Harvard Forest, Massachusetts | 42.5378 | -72.1714 | 340.00 | 1999-11-11 | 2007-11-18 | Terminated | 582 | 8063 | 19 |
HIL | Homer, Illinois | 40.0700 | -87.9100 | 201.50 | 2004-09-16 | 2023-09-09 | Ongoing | 322 | 8117 | 15 |
HOW | Howland, Maine | 42.2000 | -68.1300 | -9999.99 | 1996-12-21 | 1997-06-23 | Terminated | 122 | 3048 | 184 |
INX | INFLUX (Indianapolis Flux Experiment) | 39.5805 | -86.4207 | -9999.99 | 2010-10-27 | 2016-05-19 | Terminated | 302 | 3518 | 40 |
LEF | Park Falls, Wisconsin | 45.9451 | -90.2732 | 472.00 | 1998-04-10 | 2023-07-30 | Ongoing | 549 | 5060 | 18 |
NHA | Offshore Portsmouth, New Hampshire (Isles of Shoals) | 42.9500 | -70.6300 | 0.00 | 2003-09-12 | 2023-09-17 | Ongoing | 0 | 8136 | 16 |
NSK | Northern Saskatchewan | 58.7300 | -104.9000 | 401.00 | 2020-12-26 | 2021-02-13 | Terminated | 820 | 6799 | 24 |
OIL | Oglesby, Illinois | 41.2800 | -88.9400 | 192.60 | 2004-09-16 | 2005-11-19 | Terminated | 530 | 8121 | 12 |
PFA | Poker Flat, Alaska | 64.9000 | -148.7600 | 210.00 | 1999-06-27 | 2023-08-31 | Ongoing | 131 | 7618 | 18 |
RTA | Rarotonga | -21.2500 | -159.8300 | 3.00 | 2000-04-16 | 2023-09-14 | Ongoing | 16 | 6528 | 34 |
SAN | Santarem | -2.8500 | -54.9500 | 78.00 | 2000-12-07 | 2003-08-20 | Terminated | 300 | 5200 | 43 |
SCA | Offshore Carolinas | 33.7000 | -77.8500 | 0.00 | 2003-08-22 | 2023-09-15 | Ongoing | 218 | 13279 | 18 |
SGP | Southern Great Plains, Oklahoma | 36.6070 | -97.4890 | 314.00 | 1998-03-02 | 2023-09-17 | Ongoing | 152 | 12949 | 20 |
TGC | Offshore Corpus Christi, Texas | 27.7300 | -96.8600 | 0.00 | 2003-09-09 | 2023-09-12 | Ongoing | 19 | 8255 | 32 |
THD | Trinidad Head, California | 41.0541 | -124.1510 | 107.00 | 2003-09-02 | 2023-08-29 | Ongoing | 152 | 8131 | 25 |
UGD | Kajjansi Airfield, Kampala, Uganda | 0.2000 | 32.5500 | 1141.00 | 2020-12-15 | 2022-06-22 | Ongoing | Not available | ||
ULB | Ulaanbaatar | 47.4000 | 106.0000 | 1350.00 | 2004-03-25 | 2009-03-05 | Terminated | 1512 | 5944 | 25 |
WBI | West Branch, Iowa | 41.7248 | -91.3529 | 241.70 | 2004-09-14 | 2023-09-15 | Ongoing | 543 | 8204 | 14 |
WGC | Walnut Grove, California | 38.2645 | -121.4904 | 2.00 | 2008-05-23 | 2009-03-08 | Terminated | 6 | 3177 | 19 |
40.0500 °N | 88.37 °W | 230.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2006-06-07
- Last Sample Date: 2009-09-18
- Top Altitude: 4860 m/15944 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 374 m/1227 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 4 days
- Aircraft: Fixed Wing Single-Engine T206H Cessna
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
57.7366 °N | 152.5042 °W | 6.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2009-04-30
- Last Sample Date: 2023-06-13
- Top Altitude: 9291 m/30482 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 0 m/0 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 110 days
- Aircraft:
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
42.8200 °N | 94.41 °W | 355.10 m
- First Sample Date: 2004-09-13
- Last Sample Date: 2005-11-18
- Top Altitude: 8075 m/26492 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 599 m/1965 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 14 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 421B
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
40.8000 °N | 97.18 °W | 465.90 m
- First Sample Date: 2004-09-15
- Last Sample Date: 2011-05-11
- Top Altitude: 8157 m/26761 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 597 m/1958 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 30 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 421B
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
40.6347 °N | 104.3269 °W | 1488.00 m
- First Sample Date: 1992-11-09
- Last Sample Date: 2023-09-12
- Top Altitude: 11879 m/38973 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 1586 m/5203 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 21 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 210
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
38.8300 °N | 74.32 °W | 0.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2005-08-17
- Last Sample Date: 2023-09-19
- Top Altitude: 8143 m/26715 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 247 m/810 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 14 days
- Aircraft: Cessna Piper Comanche Twin
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
64.9863 °N | 147.598 °W | 611.43 m
- First Sample Date: 2017-04-26
- Last Sample Date: 2017-11-05
- Top Altitude: 7850 m/25754 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 2 m/6 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 14 days
- Aircraft:
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
47.5000 °N | 99.24 °W | 472.44 m
- First Sample Date: 2004-09-21
- Last Sample Date: 2016-11-15
- Top Altitude: 8131 m/26676 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 518 m/1699 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 16 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 340A
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
49.3830 °N | 126.5441 °W | 7.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2002-11-22
- Last Sample Date: 2023-09-08
- Top Altitude: 5820 m/19094 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 18 m/59 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 16 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 182
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
54.3541 °N | 104.9868 °W | 493.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2005-10-15
- Last Sample Date: 2023-09-17
- Top Altitude: 7823 m/25666 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 599 m/1965 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 22 days
- Aircraft: Beechcraft King Air A100
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
-99.9999 °N | 999.9999 °W | -9999.99 m
- First Sample Date: 2014-07-09
- Last Sample Date: 2015-05-12
- Top Altitude: 2000 m/6561 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 129 m/423 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 38 days
- Aircraft:
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
-3.5200 °N | 38.28 °W | 3.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2000-12-09
- Last Sample Date: 2003-03-25
- Top Altitude: 4267 m/13999 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 152 m/498 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 85 days
- Aircraft:
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
44.6600 °N | 90.96 °W | 334.30 m
- First Sample Date: 2004-09-20
- Last Sample Date: 2005-11-18
- Top Altitude: 8073 m/26486 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 590 m/1935 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 14 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 421B
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
21.2300 °N | 158.95 °W | 3.00 m
- First Sample Date: 1999-05-31
- Last Sample Date: 2008-04-22
- Top Altitude: 8104 m/26587 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 4 m/13 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 16 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 421
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
42.5378 °N | 72.1714 °W | 340.00 m
- First Sample Date: 1999-11-11
- Last Sample Date: 2007-11-18
- Top Altitude: 8063 m/26453 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 582 m/1909 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 18 days
- Aircraft: Cessna TU206
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
40.0700 °N | 87.91 °W | 201.50 m
- First Sample Date: 2004-09-16
- Last Sample Date: 2023-09-09
- Top Altitude: 8117 m/26630 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 322 m/1056 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 15 days
- Aircraft: Piper PA 34-220T
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
42.2000 °N | 68.13 °W | -9999.99 m
- First Sample Date: 1996-12-21
- Last Sample Date: 1997-06-23
- Top Altitude: 3048 m/10000 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 122 m/400 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 184 days
- Aircraft:
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
39.5805 °N | 86.4207 °W | -9999.99 m
- First Sample Date: 2010-10-27
- Last Sample Date: 2016-05-19
- Top Altitude: 3518 m/11541 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 302 m/990 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 33 days
- Aircraft: Beechcraft
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
45.9451 °N | 90.2732 °W | 472.00 m
- First Sample Date: 1998-04-10
- Last Sample Date: 2023-07-30
- Top Altitude: 5060 m/16601 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 549 m/1801 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 21 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 172
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
42.9500 °N | 70.63 °W | 0.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2003-09-12
- Last Sample Date: 2023-09-17
- Top Altitude: 8136 m/26692 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 0 m/0 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 16 days
- Aircraft: Cessna T210
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
58.7300 °N | 104.9 °W | 401.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2020-12-26
- Last Sample Date: 2021-02-13
- Top Altitude: 6799 m/22306 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 820 m/2690 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 24 days
- Aircraft:
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
41.2800 °N | 88.94 °W | 192.60 m
- First Sample Date: 2004-09-16
- Last Sample Date: 2005-11-19
- Top Altitude: 8121 m/26643 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 530 m/1738 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 12 days
- Aircraft: Piper PA 31-325
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
64.9000 °N | 148.76 °W | 210.00 m
- First Sample Date: 1999-06-27
- Last Sample Date: 2023-08-31
- Top Altitude: 7618 m/24993 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 131 m/429 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 21 days
- Aircraft: Piper PA 31-325
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
-21.2500 °N | 159.83 °W | 3.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2000-04-16
- Last Sample Date: 2023-09-14
- Top Altitude: 6528 m/21417 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 16 m/52 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 32 days
- Aircraft: Embraer Bandeirante 110
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
-2.8500 °N | 54.95 °W | 78.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2000-12-07
- Last Sample Date: 2003-08-20
- Top Altitude: 5200 m/17060 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 300 m/984 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 73 days
- Aircraft:
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
33.7000 °N | 77.85 °W | 0.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2003-08-22
- Last Sample Date: 2023-09-15
- Top Altitude: 13279 m/43566 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 218 m/715 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 19 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 337C Turbo
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
36.6070 °N | 97.489 °W | 314.00 m
- First Sample Date: 1998-03-02
- Last Sample Date: 2023-09-17
- Top Altitude: 12949 m/42483 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 152 m/498 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 21 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 337C Turbo
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
27.7300 °N | 96.86 °W | 0.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2003-09-09
- Last Sample Date: 2023-09-12
- Top Altitude: 8255 m/27083 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 19 m/62 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 28 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 421B
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
41.0541 °N | 124.151 °W | 107.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2003-09-02
- Last Sample Date: 2023-08-29
- Top Altitude: 8131 m/26676 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 152 m/498 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 24 days
- Aircraft: Mooney M20M
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
0.2000 °N | 32.55 °E | 1141.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2020-12-15
- Last Sample Date: 2022-06-22
- Top Altitude: m/0 ft
- Bottom Altitude: m/0 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Not available
- Aircraft:
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
47.4000 °N | 106 °E | 1350.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2004-03-25
- Last Sample Date: 2009-03-05
- Top Altitude: 5944 m/19501 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 1512 m/4960 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 33 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 208
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization
41.7248 °N | 91.3529 °W | 241.70 m
- First Sample Date: 2004-09-14
- Last Sample Date: 2023-09-15
- Top Altitude: 8204 m/26916 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 543 m/1781 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 15 days
- Aircraft: Cessna 421B
- Status: Ongoing
- Data Visualization
38.2645 °N | 121.4904 °W | 2.00 m
- First Sample Date: 2008-05-23
- Last Sample Date: 2009-03-08
- Top Altitude: 3177 m/10423 ft
- Bottom Altitude: 6 m/19 ft
- Average Flight Frequency: Every 19 days
- Aircraft:
- Status: Terminated
- Data Visualization