Extended Abstract (264K)P2.1
Variations of atmospheric CO2 at urban and residential sites within Syracuse, N.Y
Shannon M. Buckley, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY; and M. J. Mitchell and P. J. McHale
Urban areas have been identified as major contributors of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to the atmosphere. With the recent designation of CO2 as an air pollutant by the EPA, it is now more important than ever to understand the concentrations and dynamics of CO2. Many studies have documented CO2 levels across a rural-suburban-urban transect, identifying an “urban CO2 dome” within the urban region, varying in intensity depending on a number of factors including meteorology, topography and climate of each study location. In order to further explore the relationship of CO2 levels within urban environments, our study is comparing CO2 concentrations at two sites of different composition within Syracuse, N.Y.: one within the commercial downtown district and the other in a residential neighborhood. The commercial site is located in close proximity to two major interstate highways and the downtown area. The residential site is located to the southwest of the commercial site, within a city park with greater density of vegetation. Both are collecting 15-minute CO2 concentration averages taken at ~50 m tower using a GE Telaire 7000 series CO2 instrument. Preliminary results show a strong diurnal cycle, which varies at the downtown site between weekend and weekdays, suggesting a greater traffic influence compared to the residential site. Seasonal variations between the summer and fall seasons are most prominent at the downtown site. The results of this study, in conjunction with traffic count measurements currently being recorded at the downtown site, will give insight to the impact of traffic within cities. These data will be expanded in the late spring with the addition of two eddy covariance systems, providing CO2, H2O and energy fluxes at both sites.
Poster Session 2, Urban Posters - Biometeorology and Energy/Water Balances
Monday, 2 August 2010, 6:00 PM-7:30 PM, Shavano Peak
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