Articles | Volume 26, issue 14
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10477-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10477-2026
Research article
 | 
27 Jul 2026
Research article |  | 27 Jul 2026

Exploring atmospheric CH4 monitoring network expansion in Italy using inverse modelling

Joël Thanwerdas, Paolo Cristofanelli, Angela Fiore, Rianne Dröge, Sophie Van Mil, Yohanna Villalobos, Zhendong Wu, and Dominik Brunner

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Cited articles

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We assess how expanding Italy’s sparse ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System) methane network could improve methane emission estimates. Using transport modelling, data assimilation methods and synthetic observations, we test eight candidate sites. Chieti, in Central Italy and Mount Venda, in Northern Italy, provide the strongest added constraints, respectively. The framework developed here can be applied to other countries to optimize their atmospheric measurement networks and to improve constraints on greenhouse gas emissions.
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