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The Continental European Suess Effect

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Ingeborg Levin ,
Joachim Schuchard ,
Bernd Kromer  and
K O Münnich
Ingeborg Levin
Affiliation:
Institut für Umweltphysik, University of Heidelberg Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, D-6900 Heidelberg, FRG
Joachim Schuchard
Affiliation:
Institut für Umweltphysik, University of Heidelberg Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, D-6900 Heidelberg, FRG
Bernd Kromer
Affiliation:
Institut für Umweltphysik, University of Heidelberg Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, D-6900 Heidelberg, FRG
K O Münnich
Affiliation:
Institut für Umweltphysik, University of Heidelberg Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, D-6900 Heidelberg, FRG
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Abstract

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Observations of 14C in atmospheric CO2 at four different sites in central Europe, Heidelberg, Westerland, Schauinsland and Jungfraujoch have enabled us to determine individual fossil-fuel contributions to atmospheric CO2 concentration. The data clearly show a decrease of fossil-fuel CO2 with distance from anthropogenic source regions. At Heidelberg during winter we observe 14C/12C ratios up to 10% lower than at the clean air mountain station Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps, corresponding to an anthropogenic CO2 contamination level of ca 10% at the Heidelberg site. The Schauinsland and Westerland winter fossil-fuel CO2 concentrations are only ca 1.5 and 2% of the mean concentration, respectively. Our results indicate a strong seasonality in the European fossil-fuel CO2 source with ca 50% lower CO2 emissions during summer if compared to winter fossil-fuel CO2 release. This effect may significantly contribute (by 1–2 ppm) to the observed annual cycle of atmospheric CO2 concentration in northern mid-latitudes.

Type
II. Carbon Cycle in the Environment
Information
Radiocarbon , Volume 31 , Issue 3: June 20-25, 1988 Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia , 1989 , pp. 431 - 440
Copyright
Copyright © The American Journal of Science 

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