The influence of 14CO2 releases from regional nuclear facilities at the Heidelberg 14CO2 sampling site (1986-2014)
Abstract. Atmospheric Δ14CO2 measurements are a well-established tool to estimate the regional fossil-fuel-derived CO2 component. However, emissions from nuclear facilities can significantly alter the regional Δ14CO2 level. In order to accurately quantify the signal originating from fossil CO2 emiss...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2018
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| In: |
Atmospheric chemistry and physics
Year: 2018, Volume: 18, Issue: 11, Pages: 7951-7959 |
| ISSN: | 1680-7324 |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-7951-2018 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-7951-2018 Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/18/7951/2018/ 
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| Author Notes: | Matthias Kuderer, Samuel Hammer, and Ingeborg Levin |
| Summary: | Abstract. Atmospheric Δ14CO2 measurements are a well-established tool to estimate the regional fossil-fuel-derived CO2 component. However, emissions from nuclear facilities can significantly alter the regional Δ14CO2 level. In order to accurately quantify the signal originating from fossil CO2 emissions, a correction term for anthropogenic 14CO2 sources has to be determined. In this study, the HYSPLIT atmospheric dispersion model has been applied to calculate this correction for the long-term Δ14CO2 monitoring site in Heidelberg. Wind fields with a spatial resolution of 2.5° × 2.5°, 1° × 1°, and 0.5° × 0.5° show systematic deviations, with coarser resolved wind fields leading to higher mean values for the correction. The finally applied mean Δ14CO2 correction for the period from 1986-2014 is 2.3 ‰ with a standard deviation of 2.1 ‰ and maximum values up to 15.2 ‰. These results are based on the 0.5° × 0.5° wind field simulations in years when these fields were available (2009, 2011-2014), and for the other years they are based on 2.5° × 2.5° wind field simulations, corrected with a factor of 0.43. After operations at the Philippsburg boiling water reactor ceased in 2011, the monthly nuclear correction terms decreased to less than 2 ‰, with a mean value of 0.44 ± 0.32 ‰ from 2012 to 2014.</p> |
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| Item Description: | Published: 06 Jun 2018 Im Text ist 14 hochgestellt, 2 tiefgestellt Gesehen am 29.06.2018 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1680-7324 |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-7951-2018 |