A flexible algorithm for network design based on information theory

A novel method for atmospheric network design is presented, which is based on information theory. The method does not require calculation of the posterior uncertainty (or uncertainty reduction) and is therefore computationally more efficient than methods that require this. The algorithm is demonstrated in two examples: the first looks at designing a network for monitoring CHinline-formula₄ sources using observations of the stable carbon isotope ratio in CHinline-formula₄ (inline-formulaδ¹³C), and the second looks at designing a network for monitoring fossil fuel emissions of COinline-formula₂ using observations of the radiocarbon isotope ratio in COinline-formula₂ (inline-formulaΔ¹⁴COinline-formula₂).