Skip to main content
Log in

Emission database for global atmospheric research (Edgar)

  • Emission Inventories
  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Atmospheric chemistry and climate modellers require gridded global emissions data as input into their models. To meet this urgent need a global emissions source database called EDGAR is being developed by TNO and RIVM to estimate for 1990, on a regional and on a grid basis, annual emissions of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, CO, NOx, non-methane VOC, SOx), of NH3, and of ozone depleting compounds (halocarbons) from all known sources. The aim is to establish at due levels of spatial, temporal and source aggregation the emissions from both anthropogenic and biogenic sources: a complete set of data required to estimate the total source strength of the various gases with a 1×1 ° resolution (altitude resolution of 1 km) and a temporal resolution of a month, supplemented by diurnal variation, as agreed upon in the Global Emissions Inventory Activity (GEIA) of the International Atmospheric Chemistry Programme (IGAC). In this way EDGAR will meet the requirements of present and future developments in the field of atmospheric modelling. The data comprise demographic data, social and economic factors, land use distributions and emission factors (with due emphasis on the uncertainty). As understanding in this field is still changing, due attention is paid to flexibility regarding the disaggregation of sources, spatial and temporal resolution and species. The objective and methodology chosen for the construction of the database and the structural design of the database system are presented, as well as the type and sources of data and the approach used for data collection. As an example, the construction of the N2O inventory is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agrostat: 1990, ‘AGROSTAT.PC’, FAO, Rome Data on diskette.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alcamo, J., Kreileman, G.J.J., Krol, M., and Zuidema, G.: 1994, ‘Modeling the Global Society-Biosphere-Climate System. Part I: Model description and Testing. Accepted for publication in Water, Air and Soil Poll.

  • Andreae, M.O.: 1991, ‘Biomass burning: its history, use and distribution and its impact on environmental quality and global climate’, In: Levine, J.S. (Ed.), Global biomass burning, MIT Press, Cambridge, pp. 3–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baars, H.P., Berdowski, J.J.M., and Veldt, C.: 1991. ‘Preliminary study on a global emissions database (EDGAR)’, TNO Institute of Environmental Sciences, Delft, TNO report R 91/136, June 1991.

  • Bouwman, A.F.: 1990, ‘Exchange of greenhouse gases between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere’, In: Bouwman, A.F. (Ed.), Soils and the greenhouse effect, Wiley and Sons, Chichester, pp. 61–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouwman, A.F., Fung, I., Matthews, E. and John, J.: 1993, ‘Global analysis of the potential for N2O production in natural soils’, Global Biogeochem. Cycles 7, 557–597.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouwman, A.F., van der Hoek, K.W. and Olivier, J.G.J.: 1994, ‘Uncertainty in the global source distribution of nitrous oxide’. Paper submitted to J. Geophys. Res.

  • Builtjes, P.J.H.: 1992, ‘The LOTOS — Long Term Ozone Simulation — project. Summary report’, TNO Institute of Environmental Sciences, Delft, report IMW-R92/240.

  • Castellan, A., Bart, J.C.J. and Cavallero, S.: 1991, ‘Industrial production and use of adipic acid’, Catalysts Today 9, 237–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crutzen, P.J. and Andreae, M.O.: 1990, ‘Biomass burning in the tropics: impact on atmospheric chemistry and biogeochemical cycles’, Science 250, 1669–1678.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Soete, G.G.: 1993, ‘Nitrous oxide from combustion and industry. Chemistry, emissions and control’, In: Van Amstel, R.A. (Ed.), Proceedings of the International Workshop Methane and Nitrous Oxide: Methods in National Emission Inventories and Options for Control, Amersfoort, The Netherlands, February 3–5, 1993, pp. ... .

  • De Vries, H.J.M., Olivier, J.G.J., Van den Wijngaart, R.A. Kreileman, G.J.J. and Toet, A.M.C.: 1994, ‘Model for Calculating Regional Energy Use, Industrial Production and Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Evaluating Global Climate Scenarics’, Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 75, special issue. “IMAGE 2.0”, in press.

  • Eichner, M.J.: 1990, ‘Nitrous oxide emissions from fertilized soils: summary of available data’, J. of Environ. Qual. 19, 272–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO: 1991, ‘Agrostat PC, Computerized Information Series 1/3: Land use’, FAO Publications Division, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO: 1993, ‘Summary of the final report of the forest resources assessment 1990 project for the tropical world, 11th session of the Committee on Forestry, D1/U9798’, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hao, W.M., Liu, M.H. and Crutzen, P.J.: 1990, ‘Estimates of annual and regional releases of CO2 and other trace gases to the atmosphere from fires in the tropics, based on the FAO statistics for the period 1975–1980’, In: Goldhammer, J.G. (Ed.), Fire in the Tropical Biota. Ecological Studies 84, Springer Verlag, Berlin, pp. 440–462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houghton, R.A., Boone, R.D., Fruci, J.R., Hobbie, J.E., MeIillo, J.M., Palm, C.A., Peterson, B.J., Shaver, G.R., Woodwell, G.M., Moore, B. and Skole, D.L.: 1987, ‘The flux of carbon from terrestrial ecosystems to the atmosphere in 1980 due to changes in land use: geographic distribution of the global flux’, Tellus 39B, 122–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houghton, J.T., Callander, B.A. and Varkey, S.K. (Eds.): 1992, ‘Climate change 1992: The Supplementary Report to the IPCC Scientific Assessment’. Cambridge University press.

  • IEA: 1992: ‘Energy balances of OECD countries 1989–1990’, OECD/IEA, Paris. Data diskettes dated 15-04-1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • IFA: 1992, ‘Nitrogen fertilizer statistics 1986/87 to 1990/91, Information & Market Research Service, A/92/147’, International Fertilizer Industry Association, Paris, France.

    Google Scholar 

  • IFA/IFDC/FAO: 1992, ‘Fertilizer use by crop’, International Fertilizer Industry Association, International Fertilizer Development Center and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO report ESS/MISC/1992/2, Rome, Italy.

  • Keller, M., Veldkamp, E., Weitz, A.M. and Reiners, W.A.: 1993, ‘Pasture age effects on soil-atmosphere trace gas exchange in a deforested area of Costa Rica’ Nature 365, 244–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khalil, M.A.K. and Rasmussen, R.A.: 1992, ‘The global sources of nitrous oxide’, J. Geophys. Res. 97, 14651–14660.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreileman, G.J.J. and Bouwman, A.F.: 1994, ‘Computing land use emissions of greenhouse gases’, Water, Air Soi! Pollution 75, special issue “IMAGE 2.0” in press.

  • Lerner, J., Matthews, E. and Fung, I.: 1988, ‘Methane emission from animals: a global high resolution database’, Global Biogeochem. Cycles 2, 139–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Logan, J.: 1993: personal communication.

  • Matson, P.A. and Vitousek, P.M.: 1990, ‘Ecosystem approach to a global nitrous oxide budget. Processes that regulate gas emissions vary in predictable ways’, Bioscience 40, 667–672.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD: 1991, ‘Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions and sinks. Final report from the OECD experts meeting, 18–21 February 1991. Prepared for IPCC. Revised August 1991’, OECD, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivier, J.G.J.: 1993, ‘Working Group Report. Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Fuel Combustion and Industrial Processes. A Draft Methodology to Estimate National Inventories’, In: Van Amstel, R.A. (Ed.). Proceedings of the International Workshop Methane and Nitrous Oxide: Methods in National Emission Inventories and Options for Control, Amersfoort, The Netherlands, February 3–5, 1993, pp. 347–361.

  • Olson, J.S., Watts, J.A. and Allison, L.J.: 1983, ‘Carbon in live vegetation of major world ecosystems. ORNL 5862’, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Environmental Sciences Division Publication No. 1997. National Technical Information Service, U.S. Dept. Commerce.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pepper, W., Leggett, J., Swart, R., Wasson, J., Edmonds, J. and Mintzer, I.: 1992, ‘Emission scenarios for the IPCC; an update. Assumptions, methodology, and results. Prepared for IPCC Working Group 1’, May 1992.

  • Reimer, R.A., Parrett, R.A. and Slaten, C.S.: 1992, ‘Abatement of N2O emission produced in adipic acid’, Proceedings of 5th International Workshop on Nitrous Oxide emissions, Tsukuba (JP), July 1–3, 1992.

  • Schipper, L., Meyers, S., Howarth, R.B., and Steiner, R.: 1992, ‘Energy efficiency and human activity. Past trends, future prospects’, Cambridge Univ. Press.

  • Scurlock, J.M.O. and Hall, D.O.: 1990, ‘The contribution of biomass to global energy use (1987)’ Biomass 21 75–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN: 1993, ‘Industrial Commodity Production Statistics’, UN-ECE Statistical Division through International Environmental Data Service (IEDS), Geneva, Switzerland. Data on diskette.

  • Van der Laan, W.P.M. and Bruinsma, P.H.: 1993, ‘Environmental Information and Planning Model RIM+’, Toxocol. and Env. Chemistry 40, 17–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Maas, C.W.M., Berdowski, J.J.M., Olivier, J.G.J., Bouwman, A.F.: 1994, ‘Information analysis of EDGAR’, RIVM, Bilthoven, RIVM report 776 010 001 (in prep.)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Olivier, J.G.J., Bouwman, A.F., van der Maas, C.W.M. et al. Emission database for global atmospheric research (Edgar). Environ Monit Assess 31, 93–106 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00547184

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00547184

Keywords

Navigation