Atmosphere

World class research contributing to our understanding of greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, and urban air pollution.

MethaneSAT

Detecting and quantifying methane emissions by satellite. The core mission of this unique satellite is to support reductions in methane emissions around the world, primarily by reducing leaks from oil and gas production. NIWA's Dr Sara Mikaloff Fletcher is leading a science programme to develop capability to map agricultural emissions and determine the best places for the satellite to look for methane emissions around the world.

Go to research project

Atmosphere

Research

Explore

Services

Explore

Facilities & measurement

Explore

  • Link to source page

    Baring Head Research station and lighthouse on a sunny day

    Baring Head Atmospheric Research Station

    Facility
    The Baring Head station, which overlooks Cook Strait, has been operating since 1972 and the data collected there makes significant contributions to our global understanding of greenhouse gases.
    Greenhouse and trace gases

  • Link to source page

    Side aerial shot of Lauder Atmospheric Research Station on a bright sunny day

    Lauder Atmospheric Research Station

    Facility
    NIWA's Atmospheric Research Station at Lauder in Central Otago specialises in measuring CFCs, ozone, UV levels and greenhouse gases and has a wide range of world-class instruments and research scientists.
    Greenhouse and trace gases
    UV and ozone

  • Link to source page

    Baring Head

    Greenhouse gas analyses

    NIWA has been using advanced scientific instruments to measure atmospheric trace gases and isotopes for over 30 years.
    Greenhouse and trace gases

  • Link to source page

    Publicly available data and publications

    Facility
    NIWA makes available and regularly updates results from several greenhouse gas measurement projects.
    Greenhouse and trace gases

  • Link to source page

    Carbon dioxide

    Facility
    Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is measured continuously at Baring Head, providing the longest running record of this type in the Southern hemisphere.
    Greenhouse and trace gases

  • Link to source page

    Methane

    Facility
    Methane (CH4) is the second most important greenhouse gas after CO2 that is produced by human activities.
    Greenhouse and trace gases

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Carbon monoxide

    Facility
    Carbon monoxide (CO) plays a key role in atmospheric chemistry because it is the largest sink for hydroxyl radical (OH). OH is often called the 'detergent' of the atmosphere because it destroys many harmful pollutants.
    Greenhouse and trace gases

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Trace gas datasets - naming conventions and data formats

    Facility
    Trace gas datasets - naming conventions and data formats

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Backward trajectory of southerly air arriving at Baring Head

    Facility
    Various meteorological parameters, such as wind speed and direction, air temperature and relative humidity are also measured at Baring Head.
    Greenhouse and trace gases

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Instrumentation at NIWA Lauder

    Facility
    There is a wide range of instruments at Lauder, which are listed on this page.
    Atmosphere