Atmospheric CO₂ Data

Monthly in-situ CO₂ data sets taken at Mauna Loa, Observatory, Hawaii: Latitude 19.5°N Longitude 155.6°W Elevation 3397m.

Measurements of atmospheric CO₂ concentration in our program began in 1957 at La Jolla, California and at the South Pole, and in 1958 at Mauna Loa Observatory. These measurements were gradually extended during the 1960's and 1970's to comprise sampling at an array of stations from the Arctic to Antarctica.The primary (in situ) record from Mauna Loa is based on measurements made with an analyzer at the site. At all other stations, the records are based on flask samples returned to our La Jolla laboratory for analysis. Flasks have also been redundantly collected at Mauna Loa. Isotopic measurements on flask samples of the ¹³C/¹²C and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios of CO₂, which we began in 1978, have gradually been expanded to include all stations where we measure the CO₂ concentration.

Early campaign data of atmospheric CO₂ concentrations (ppm) derived from flask air samples taken aboard aircraft, ships, and ice-floes.

Atmospheric CO₂ record based on ice core data before 1958, (Ethridge et. al., 1996; MacFarling Meure et al., 2006) and yearly averages of direct observations from Mauna Loa and the South Pole after and including 1958 (from Scripps CO₂ Program).

Averaged products of atmospheric CO₂ records at Mauna Loa Observatory and the South Pole station.