To support WMO Members operating WMO/GAW stations, WCC-SF₆ conducts audits and provides technical assistance to help stations align their SF₆ observations with WMO/GAW guidelines and reference scales. These activities ensure the traceability, accuracy, and long-term reliability of atmospheric SF₆ measurements.
Audits
Audits are a critical part of the WMO/GAW quality assurance system, ensuring that measurement stations adhere to global standards. WCC-SF₆ performs two types of audits:
- System Audit: A comprehensive assessment of a station’s overall conformity with GAW principles, including infrastructure, calibration procedures, data management, and operational practices.
- Performance Audit: A voluntary evaluation of measurement accuracy, where results are compared against WMO/GAW Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) using inter-comparison experiments with WCC-SF₆ traveling standard gases.
Since its establishment, WCC-SF₆ has conducted audits at three WMO/GAW global stations and one regional station:
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Cape Point, South Africa (2016) – System and performance audit of SF₆ [View] [Download] - Zugspitze, Germany (2017) – System and performance audit of SF₆ [View] [Download]
- Mauna Loa, USA (2018) – System and performance audit of SF₆ [View] [Download]
- Weybourne, UK (2022) – System and performance audit of SF₆
These audits provide detailed recommendations to improve station operations and measurement quality.
Technical Assistance
WCC-SF₆ provides technical assistance to stations that are establishing or troubleshooting SF₆ monitoring systems. Support is offered based on WMO/GAW guidelines and may include:
- Guidance on setting up SF₆ measurement systems.
- Troubleshooting instrument performance issues.
- Providing reference materials and training.
- India (2015): WCC-SF₆ supported the establishment of an SF₆ monitoring system, ensuring its integration into the WMO/GAW framework.
By conducting audits and offering technical assistance, WCC-SF₆ plays a crucial role in maintaining high-quality, globally comparable SF₆ data, strengthening the integrity of atmospheric GHG monitoring networks.
