Data and modelling requirements for CO2 inversions using high-frequency data

Abstract

We explore the future possibilities for CO2 source estimation from atmospheric concentration data by performing synthetic data experiments. Synthetic data are used to test seasonal CO2 inversions using high-frequency data. Monthly CO2 sources over the Australian region are calculated for inversions with data at 4-hourly frequency and averaged over 1 d, 2.5 d, 5 d, 12.17 d and 1 month. The inversion quality, as determined by bias and uncertainty, is degraded when averaging over longer periods. This shows the value of the strong but relatively short-lived signals present in high-frequency records that are removed in averaged and particularly filtered records. Sensitivity tests are performed in..