ICOS

 As part of the EMME-CARE project, the Atmospheric measurement team of the Cyprus Atmospheric Observatory intends to join the ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System) Atmosphere network. This will be achieved by creating a Cypriot atmospheric greenhouse gas monitoring station. This station will be located on the west coast of the island in order to obtain sea-dominant measurements.

ICOS is an international organization of twelve European member countries and over 130 greenhouse gas measurement stations aimed at quantifying and understanding the greenhouse gas balance of Europe and neighboring regions. It consists of three types of monitoring stations: Ocean, Ecosystem and Atmosphere.

The Cyprus Atmospheric Observatory will contribute to the monitoring of greenhouse gases through CO2, CH4 and CO data acquisition. The Easter Mediterranean and Middle Easter region lacks ICOS atmosphere stations (red color on the map). Therefore, these measurements will be valuable to better quantify the role of the Mediterranean Sea as a carbon sink, and the contribution of neighboring continents (Asia and Africa) to greenhouse gases concentrations.