A new dimension in monitoring climate change
Through the IGAS (IAGOS for the GMES Atmospheric Service), the EU aimed to enhance a new observational infrastructure that is complementary to Copernicus (previously known as Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES)). The In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System (IAGOS) consists of a network of commercial aircraft that carry out long-term, frequent and accurate observations that are not possible to achieve using research aircraft. IAGOS relies on fully autonomous instruments installed on passenger aircraft of international airlines. They continuously measure greenhouse gases, reactive gases, aerosols and cloud particles in the Earth's atmosphere. These observations are complemented by more complex observations conducted monthly by deploying a cargo container equipped to measure a larger suite of atmospheric components. IGAS enhanced IAGOS capabilities through targeted instrument improvements. Researchers' efforts focused on the miniature backscatter cloud spectrometer BCPOL (to discriminate between water, ice and dust particles), the proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer (for trace-level detection of volatile organic compounds) and the aerosol extinction monitor PMex. To establish links between data streams of atmospheric measurements from IAGOS and Copernicus, the IGAS team implemented near-real-time data transfer of IAGOS data. Furthermore, the database was enriched with search and retrieval capabilities, making in situ data collected by commercial aircraft easily available to the scientific community. To ensure the high quality of the data, IGAS also developed procedures for continuous evaluation and harmonisation of the data. IAGOS will collect over 20 years of crucial data with quality that other measurement methods are not able to attain. This input is essential for climate research, emissions monitoring and air quality forecasting. IAGOS measurements will be used in climate models along with the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service. The best attainable description of global climate change ensured by close cooperation of the aviation industry and researchers will serve the urgent need to develop effective and suitable measures for pollution mitigation.
Keywords
Climate change, atmospheric measurements, IGAS, IAGOS, Copernicus
