Following Carbon Dioxide with Google Earth

In an era when imaging is becoming more technically advanced, it is only natural that science utilizes this technology to its fullest potential. One of these methods is using it to monitor the behaviors and effects of greenhouse gases.

Google Earth, a software application which allows users to fly around a zoom in on key points on the surface of the Earth, Moon, and now Mars, is now presenting scientific data on carbon dioxide using its KML format.



A Google Earth application reveals carbon dioxide.

The work has seen promising results with research being done by Tyler Erickson, a geospatial researcher at Michigan Tech Research Institute, and Anna Michalak of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor who develops computer that trace carbon dioxide from when it both enters and leaves the planet’s atmosphere.

Being able to predict carbon patterns can lead to changes in environmental policy. Back in June, Michalak presented this research at a NASA symposium in Washington D.C.

The tracks are shown in green and red. Green tracks indicate that the carbon dioxide is at a lower part of the atmosphere, and can be affected by vegetation and landscape. The red tracks indicate higher atmosphere carbon dioxide that are immune to these low altitude influences.

The measurement’s themselves come from a series of towers across the United States equipped with NOAA instruments that can measure carbon dioxide at individual locations.

Monitoring tower at Mauna Loa, Hawaii.

Finding the source of the carbon dioxide can take some backtracking. It involves finding large packets of carbon dioxide, and looking at the weather patterns that led the carbon dioxide to where it is.

Through Erikson’s mapping on Google Earth, he was able to make tracking the gas particles less of an elusive task to scientists everywhere. For this work, Erikson was declared one of Google’s winners of 2009.

Next, we will see scientist using these models, and developing a more accurate particle tracking, leading to a better environmental policy.