Variation Patterns of CO2 and CH4 according to the Measurements in the Surface Atmosphere over Urban and Suburban Areas in 2021–2022

Abstract

The patterns and factors of changes in CO₂ and CH₄ concentrations in the surface atmosphere of an urbanized and suburban environment were analyzed based on the results of the synchronous measurements in Yekaterinburg and the Kourovka Astronomical Observatory (KAO) in September 2021–August 2022. On average, the maximum levels of CO₂ in Yekaterinburg (443.2 ppm) were shown to be higher than in KAO (432.4 ppm) and were reached in January. The minima, on the contrary, were lower in the city than in the suburban area (405.4 ppm in July in Yekaterinburg against 412.7 ppm in September in KAO). Enhanced CO₂ levels in the warm season in KAO were caused by very high nighttime concentrations (up to 500 ppm), which was not observed in the surface urban atmosphere. For CH₄, the seasonal dynamics in the city and in KAO was similar: the maximum levels were reached in January (2.154 and 2.076 ppm), and the minima were registered in June (1.998 and 1.971 ppm). The mutual influence of the territories under consideration was assessed to be moderate. The results of the study can be used to develop a technology for assessing the carbon balances on a regional scale, which is the main task of the Carbon Supersites program in the Urals.