Applying optical instruments and methods for mapping of greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide affect the Earth's climate which in time may change the sea level, the amount of ice in the arctic regions, plant types and regions where they can grow, conditions for life for animals and humans. The emissions can be both natural and caused by human activity, and are often difficult to map as they occur all over Earth. Measurements are often made from space using satellites or in-situ at known sources. Development of new measurement methods are important at all scales for better mapping and quantification of different sources.

I have a background in observational astronomy, including different types of cameras and spectrographs, both ground-based and using satellites from space. This specialization requires a lot of programming to allow for project-specific image processing and model calculations.

At Tema environmental change I use optical instruments and methods applied to environmental research, with a focus on greenhouse gases and climate change. One of the projects involves a camera that can image and film the greenhouse gas methane using infrared light and spectroscopic modeling. Using this method it is possible to detect emissions sources directly in a landscape and to identify these. Methane has a much higher potential than carbon dioxide, per molecule, to cause a climate change. Another project is to follow heat patterns in the surface waters of lakes, using infrared video, allowing calculation of surface velocities which in turn can be used to estimate the exchange of greenhouse gases between the lake surface and the atmosphere.

I teach Astronomy and Physics in the teacher education program, but also physical geography with a focus on the greenhouse effect.

 

Publications

2023

2022

Research

CV

CV 

  • 2008
    PhD in Astronomy, Stockholm University 
  • 2000
    Master in Astronomy, Stockholm University

Teaching

  • Geography 
  • Science studies 

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