Analysis of spatiotemporal patterns of atmospheric CO2 concentration in the Yellow River Basin over the past decade based on time-series remote sensing data

Understanding the spatial and temporal variations of CO2 column concentration (CO2-CCs) is crucial for tackling climate change and promoting sustainable human development. This study provides an in-depth analysis of CO2 dynamics in the Yellow River Basin, an area significantly affected by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Using data from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2) and the Fourier transformation spectrometer (FTS) of the GOSAT satellite remote sensing sensors, supplemented with ground station data from the Waliguan station, we scrutinized the CO2 levels in the region from 2013 to 2022. The regional CO2-CC displayed a 12-month cyclical variation and a continuous upward trend, escalating by approximately 4.26% over the 10-year period. Spatiotemporal differences were evident in the monthly variation of CO2-CC, with peak and minimum values occurring in May and August respectively. Geographically, the highest CO2-CC was found in the central part of the basin, while the lowest was in the northern part of Inner Mongolia. This study underscores the increased significance of the region's CO2-CC, which showed an increase from 17.0 ppm at the start of the period to 21.0 ppm by the end, representing an overall growth of between 4.35 and 5.25%. The findings highlight the urgency of targeted measures to mitigate CO2 emissions and adapt to their consequences in the Yellow River Basin, contributing to the global efforts against climate change and towards sustainable development.