CARB's Statewide Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Network

Statewide Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Network

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Statewide Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Network
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Primary Contact

Research Division

research@arb.ca.gov

Phone

(916) 445-0753

Categories

Topics

Research

Division

Research Division

CARB has an extensive greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring and measurement research program to study the regional and local emission sources of important GHGs in California. CARB initiated the first subnational GHG Monitoring Network in 2010 (with pilot measurements in 2007) to study the regional GHG emissions trends throughout the state, and evaluate the regional and statewide inventories to support the AB 32 program. These efforts rely on highly accurate and precise ambient measurement of greenhouse gases, which are analyzed using complex analytical tools. The monitoring network cannot attribute increased methane to any individual source. The measurements are of ambient concentration levels which are influenced by an aggregation of source contributions and meteorological influences. The data can be coupled with advanced computational models to study regional emissions and track changes in GHG levels in the atmosphere.
More about this program

Greenhouse Gas Data Query Tool

CARB GHG Monitoring Network data are a product of extensive research and technical efforts to measure, collect, and maintain high quality air monitoring data. We take every precaution to ensure that the data are of the highest research quality, and possess the highest accuracy and precision. Learn more using the Air Quality and Meteorological Information System (AQMIS2).

Data Access

GHG Research Collaborations

Report on Greenhouse Gas Measurements and Modeling (PDF)

GHG Monitoring Network

Map The network currently has seven CARB-operated monitoring stations located at strategically selected regional sites throughout California. In addition, we also collaborate with a number of research partners on several other monitoring locations throughout the state. CARB has equipped these stations with a variety of state-of-the-art analyzers that are able to measure the ambient pollutant concentrations at the highest level of accuracy and precision, and measure a variety of important greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and black carbon (BC) (additionally, carbon monoxide [CO] is also measured as a tracer for anthropogenic emissions). CARB is also deploying analyzers capable of measuring isotopic signature of carbon dioxide and methane to further refine the source attribution of the inventory. Data from this network are used in several research studies, and formed the basis of a comprehensive statewide inverse receptor-oriented modeling and various trends assessment analyses to support the statewide GHG inventory. Collectively, this network features a unique and extremely comprehensive greenhouse gas monitoring setup, and is amongst the “first of its kind” GHG monitoring effort around the world.

GHG Network Sites

Site Name	Latitude	Longitude	Elevation (m)	County	Air Basin	Inlet height (m agl)	Pollutants measured
Mt. Wilson	34.22109	-118.05729	1732	Los Angeles	South Coast	0	CH₄, CO₂, N₂O, CO, BC
San Bernardino	34.08548	-117.31299	300	San Bernardino	South Coast	58	CH₄, CO₂, N₂O, CO
Arvin	35.23912	-118.78869	158	Kern	San Joaquin Valley	10	CH₄, CO₂, N₂O, CO
Madera	36.86719	-120.01011	81	Madera	San Joaquin Valley	10	CH₄, CO₂, N₂O, CO
Tranquility	36.63424	-120.38234	63	Fresno	San Joaquin Valley	10	CH₄, CO₂, N₂O, CO
Sutter Buttes	39.20556	-121.82046	645	Sutter	Sacramento Valley	10	CH₄, CO₂, N₂O, CO
Tuscan Buttes	40.26207	-122.09265	562	Tehama	Sacramento Valley	10	CH₄, CO₂

California Air Resources Board