Spectral Analysis for Estimating CO₂ Levels in Earth's Atmosphere
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Date
2025-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Effectively measuring and tracking atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations is vital for comprehending the effects of global climate change. Carbon dioxide (CO2), as a key greenhouse gas, significantly influences the regulation of Earth's climate system. Conventional techniques for assessing CO2 levels frequently require intricate instruments and face various logistical challenges. In this study, we will propose a simple, cost-effective method for estimating CO2 abundance in the atmosphere by analyzing the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of absorption features within near-infrared transmission spectra. Utilizing two atmospheric modeling tools—NASA’s Planetary Spectrum Generator (PSG) and the petitRADTRANS (pRT) package—simulations were produced across selected wavelength regions between 1.0–2.4 µm, focusing on regions with less external contamination from other common molecules such as H₂O and CH₄. Various CO2 mixing ratios and air mass values were applied, and real-world data from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) was used for comparison. Results showed a positive, consistent correlation between AUC and CO₂ abundance across both simulation tools, although PSG seemed to overestimate AUC values at generally higher concentrations relative to pRT. The influence of air mass further validated the method’s reliability, and contamination from H₂O proved to be minimal in the chosen regions. These discoveries suggest that AUC analysis is a valid and efficient alternative for CO₂ estimation, potentially minimizing the need for aforesaid complex instrumentation. The method's consistency across tools emphasizes its potential for application in future atmospheric and exoplanetary applications.
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Keywords
spectroscopy, climate change, carbon dioxide, planetary science, atmosphere, earth science