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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4876
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4876
29 Oct 2025
 | 29 Oct 2025

Two years of total column measurements of CO2, CH4 and CO in Paris, France

Josselin Doc, François-Marie Bréon, Morgan Lopez, Yao Té, Pascal Jeseck, Jinghui Lian, Guillaume Nief, Antoine Parent, Hippolyte Leuridan, and Michel Ramonet

Abstract. Several cities have established atmospheric monitoring networks to track greenhouse gas emissions. In the Paris metropolitan area, continuous in-situ surface measurements have been conducted since 2015. To complement them, three ground-based solar Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometers provide total column concentrations of CO2, CH4, CO, and H2O (XCO2, XCH4, XCO, XH2O): Jussieu (JUS, since 2014), Saclay (SAC, since 2021), and Gonesse (GNS, since 2022) within the ICOS Cities project.

These total column estimates capture background variability and urban plumes but are influenced by calibration, measurement noise, solar geometry, a priori profiles, and surface pressure. Accounting for these factors, overall uncertainties are estimated at 0.2 ppm for XCO2, 1.2 ppb for XCH4, and 2 ppb for XCO (EM27/SUN instruments). Inter-station gradients reveal the influence of the Paris emission plume, with typical XCO2 gradients below 1 ppm (mean 0.51 ppm, 8.9 % above 1 ppm).

Observed XCO2 gradients were compared with WRF-Chem simulations driven by the dynamic Origins.earth emission inventory. Correlations are moderate – 0.47 (SAC-GNS), 0.43 (JUS-GNS), and 0.26 (SAC-JUS) – with regression slopes of 0.66, 0.72, and 0.44, respectively, suggesting a potential overestimation of emissions by about 35 %. However, the large spread between measured and modelled gradients limits the robustness of this conclusion.

The paper first describes the monitoring network and harmonized data processing, then evaluates measurement uncertainties, and finally compares observations with model simulations to assess the potential of FTIR column data for validating urban emission inventories.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

25 Jun 2026
Two years of total column measurements of CO2, CH4 and CO in Paris, France
Josselin Doc, François-Marie Bréon, Morgan Lopez, Yao Té, Pascal Jeseck, Jinghui Lian, Guillaume Nief, Antoine Parent, Hippolyte Leuridan, and Michel Ramonet
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 8937–8959, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-8937-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-8937-2026, 2026
Short summary
Josselin Doc, François-Marie Bréon, Morgan Lopez, Yao Té, Pascal Jeseck, Jinghui Lian, Guillaume Nief, Antoine Parent, Hippolyte Leuridan, and Michel Ramonet

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4876', Anonymous Referee #1, 21 Jan 2026
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Josselin Doc, 28 Mar 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4876', Anonymous Referee #2, 19 Feb 2026
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Josselin Doc, 28 Mar 2026

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4876', Anonymous Referee #1, 21 Jan 2026
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Josselin Doc, 28 Mar 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4876', Anonymous Referee #2, 19 Feb 2026
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Josselin Doc, 28 Mar 2026

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
AR by Josselin Doc on behalf of the Authors (29 Mar 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (29 Apr 2026) by Abhishek Chatterjee
AR by Josselin Doc on behalf of the Authors (07 May 2026)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

25 Jun 2026
Two years of total column measurements of CO2, CH4 and CO in Paris, France
Josselin Doc, François-Marie Bréon, Morgan Lopez, Yao Té, Pascal Jeseck, Jinghui Lian, Guillaume Nief, Antoine Parent, Hippolyte Leuridan, and Michel Ramonet
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 8937–8959, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-8937-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-8937-2026, 2026
Short summary
Josselin Doc, François-Marie Bréon, Morgan Lopez, Yao Té, Pascal Jeseck, Jinghui Lian, Guillaume Nief, Antoine Parent, Hippolyte Leuridan, and Michel Ramonet
Josselin Doc, François-Marie Bréon, Morgan Lopez, Yao Té, Pascal Jeseck, Jinghui Lian, Guillaume Nief, Antoine Parent, Hippolyte Leuridan, and Michel Ramonet

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Short summary
A greenhouse gas monitoring network was set up around Paris. From July 2022 to December 2024, three stations placed along the main wind direction detected differences of 0.5–1 ppm between sites. Compared with WRF-Chem simulations using the Origins.earth inventory, the data suggest that emissions are overestimated by the inventory. A reduction of about 34 % would be needed, a stronger correction than indicated by surface-based studies.
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