A Web-based Interactive Atmospheric
Data Visualization Tool:
Near real-time access to data from the NOAA CMDL CCGG Observing
Network
K.A. Masarie
Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory, OAR
The
Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Gases (CCGG) Group of NOAA CMDL operates
an extensive observational network for monitoring atmospheric
trace gases important to the understanding of the global carbon
cycle. CCGG continuous and discrete measurements of atmospheric
CO2, CH4, CO, H2, N2O, SF6, the stable isotopes of CO2 and CH4
made from surface sites, towers, aircraft, and ships of opportunity
constitute the most extensive set of atmospheric greenhouse gas
observations that are consistent with respect to calibration and
methodology.
CCGG data are readily available for use from data
archive centers and CMDL. However, the most current year’s
data, e.g., “preliminary” data, are not available
because they have not yet been screened for sampling, analytical,
or calibration errors. Further, users cannot easily manipulate
the available data or create graphs to suit their needs. Increasing
requests for more up-to-date data and for customized data plots
suggest that the current CCGG data distribution strategy is not
meeting the needs of current data users.
CCGG can better serve the scientific community, as well as the
general public, educators, students, the press, business and government
policymakers, by providing CCGG data, including our most up-to-date
measurements, in a format that is widely accessible and allows
users to easily manipulate and graph the data.
Development of the CCGG Interactive Atmospheric
Data Visualization (IADV) Web site will allow visitors to (1)
view both published data and near real-time preliminary CCGG data;
(2) obtain details about each sampling location, (3) manipulate
and compare CCGG data sets, (4) create custom graphs, and (5)
save output in a variety of formats.
When fully developed, the IADV Web site will also
be used by CCGG personnel as a measurement diagnostics tool. Because
the Web site will centralize access to a library of powerful graphing
routines and directly query the CCGG database, those responsible
for the measurements will have at their disposal an efficient
and comprehensive set of tools for assessing the quality of the
CCGG observations.
This
presentation will demonstrate the current state of the IADV Web
site.
