Observation-based estimates of fossil fuel-derived CO₂ emissions in the Netherlands using Δ14C, CO and ²²²Radon

Surface emissions of CO₂ from fossil fuel combustion (FFCO₂) are estimated for the Netherlands for the period of May 2006–June 2009 using ambient atmospheric observations taken at station Lutjewad in the Netherlands (6°21E, 53°24N, 1 m. a.s.l.). Measurements of ¹⁴C on 2-weekly integrations of CO₂ and CO mixing ratios are combined to construct a quasi-continuous proxy record (ΦFFCO₂^∗) from which surface fluxes (ΦFFCO₂^∗) are determined using the ²²²Rn flux method. The trajectories of the air masses are analysed to determine emissions, which are representative for the Netherlands. We compared our observationally based estimates to the national inventories and we evaluated our methodology using the regional atmospheric transport model REMO. Based on 3 yr of observations we find annual mean ΦFFCO₂^∗ emissions of (4.7 ± 1.6) kt km⁻² a⁻¹ which is in very good agreement with the Dutch inventories of (4.5 ± 0.2) kt km⁻² a⁻¹ (average of 2006–2008).