Scientists distinguish atmospheric CO2
New research has found a way of distinguishing between CO2 in the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels and those from natural resources.
The study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, measures a type of carbon, known as 14CO2, no longer present in fossil fuels but found in plants.
Using data from samples gathered by aircraft over two sites in the US over a six-year period, the researchers, led by scientists at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Earth System Research Laboratory, were able to pinpoint the ratio of 14CO2 or natural CO2 compared with CO2 from fossil fuels.
They found the ratios change over the year, indicating seasonality of emissions. Although the method is limited and might not be able to effectively identify CO2 emissions from a particular site or installation, the researchers believe that it is a valuable additional tool in understanding how carbon is released and distributed.