CRDS instrumentation applied at multiple-scales provides spatial or temporal resolution of ecosystem processes: Four example studies

Karrin Alstad, Picarro, Inc., kalstad@picarro.com (Presenter)
Olivia Salmon, Purdue University, Department of Chemistry, osalmon@purdue.edu
Paul B. Shepson, Depts of Chemistry and Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, pshepson@purdue.edu
Brian Stirm, Purdue Dept. of Aviation Technology, stirmb@purdue.edu
Stefan Metzger, NEON, University of Colorado, smetzger@neoninc.org
John Musinsky, NEON, jmusinsky@neoninc.org
Chad Hanson, AmeriFlux QA/QC Oregon State University, chad.hanson@oregonstate.edu
Andres Schmidt, Oregon State University, andres.schmidt@oregonstate.edu
Whitney Moore, Oregon State University, whitney.moore@oregonstate.edu
Kate Dennis, Picarro, Inc., kdennis@picarro.com
Jeff Carter, Picarro, Inc, jcarter@picarro.com
Chris Rella, Picarro, Inc., crella@picarro.com
Graham Legget, Picarro, Inc., glegget@picarro.com

Picarro Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) systems are continuous high-frequency analyzers with exemplary performance characteristics. Here we present four studies from contrasting ecoregions across the United States to demonstrate the power of Picarro analyzers when applied to ecosystem scaling studies. Both concentration and isotope analyzers have been deployed to either integrate ecosystem responses over time or space, or to resolve signals having time or space distinction.

Over the highly carbon sequestering North-eastern forests of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, a Picarro high-frequency (10 hz) CO2-CH4-H2O concentration system (G2311-f) was flown. Purdue University ALAR researchers synchronized their flights with the NASA-AirMoss survey in this region, and flight paths were overlapped with NEON-AOP land classification survey. Variations in flight derived fluxes corresponded with the spatial variability in land cover.

Within the agriculturally influenced Willamette Valley of Oregon, two different Picarro systems were applied to assess the biophysical controls on regional methane fluxes. The Picarro G2311-f analyzer was installed as part of an EC flux system installed at 5 m to provide <1 km resolution on agriculture flux dynamics. These fluxes were compared with concentration gradient fluxes derived from a Picarro G2301 CO2-CH4-H2O (5 hz) analyzer drawing from 51 and 269 meter inlets. The latter provides flux estimates for most of the 240 km long valley.

Across the Uintah basin and the Denver-Julesburg basins of the intermountain west, air-cores were sampled at night to make use of the nocturnal boundary layer. A Picarro stable isotopic analyzer (G2131-i) was applied to spatially assess and differentiate fugitive methane emissions from natural gas production.

While floating on the Sacramento River Delta in a USGS research vessel, the new Continuous Water Sampler (CWS) coupled to a Picarro L2130-i for isotopic water analysis was deployed to spatially resolve the isotopic variability, providing evidence of residence time of water in the estuary.

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  Theme 1: Tracking habitat change through new integrative approaches and products   (Mon 1:30 PM)

Associated Project(s): 

• Law, Bev: Carbon Cycle Dynamics Within Oregon's Urban-Suburban-Forested-Agricultural Landscapes ...details
• Moghaddam, Mahta: Airborne Microwave Observatory of Subcanopy and Subsurface (AirMOSS) Earth Ventures-1 Mission ...details
• Related Activity: Related Activity or Previously Funded CC&E Activity not listed ...details

Poster Location ID: 11