Researchers: Cindy Yanez; Dr. Claudia Czimczik; Dr. Francesca Hopkins; Dr. Manvendra Dubey
Affiliations: UCLA, UCI, UCR, and LANL
Summary: Urban areas disproportionately emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and hence are important contributors to climate change. To examine fossil fuel CO2 emission patterns in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, we are collecting a suite of field measurements in various sites along an urban to rural gradient. Specifically, we measure total column CO2 abundance using a compact Fourier Transform Spectrometer, atmospheric radiocarbon content through analysis of vegetation samples (grass species), and surface CO2 levels using a cavity ringdown spectrometer. Our goal is to compare these observations between sites and assess their sensitivity to detect fossil emission sources.