TNA – Transnational Access

METHANE MEASUREMENT CAMPAIGNS.

InGOS CH4 Flux Campaign Cabauw.

From June 4 to 27 2012 InGOS organized a methane flux intercomparison experiment at Cabauw (The Netherlands). Several flux measurement systems were co located to measure over intensively managed grasslands on a clay-peat soil.

InGOS CH4 Landscape scale campaign Cabauw.

From June 28 to July 20, immediately after the instrument intercomparison campaign several flux measurement were used in a 10×10 km area around the Cabauw tall tower. CH4, CO2 and N2O flux measurements were also carried out at the 60 m level of the tall tower and at multiple locations along a transect perpendicular to the river, upwind of the tall tower.

Background information

Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural fields, wetlands and other ecosystems are variable in space and time. These emissions add up to make a significant contribution to the net greenhouse gas emission within the EU. The uncertainty in these emission is generally large. New measurement systems are developed that can improve our knowledge on the emission process. This should enable quantification of the net amounts emitted now and in changing climate conditions. The campaigns have a focus on eddy covariance measurements but will also use chamber measurements.

Aim

The first campaign aimed to facilitate the development of eddy covariance flux measurement protocols for methane. Also the data from this campaign will be used to compare the performance of different instruments. The campaign already provided input data for a workshop that was held in Helsinki in September 2012.

The second campaign provides insight into the spatial variability of measurements at various locations all within the footprint of the tall tower measurements. An array of 3 stations was used to evaluate fluxes in different parts of the tall tower footprint area.

Detection systems used

Methane detectors from Picarro, Los Gatos, Licor and Aerodyne were used in the campaign.

General setup

The systems were measuring emissions form the grass and maize fields surrounding the 200 m high Cabauw tower in the Netherlands. (www.cesar-observatory.nl). Eddy covariance measurements were be done at 6 m height. Multiple instruments were linked to two METEC sonical anemometers. Data was logged on a central computer and is now available for the project partners.

Science Participation 

The InGOS project provided funding for visiting scientists with a contribution in travel and residence cost. This type of funding is possible for scientist from within the EU and a number of associated countries.

Teams involved thus far & scientists involved

  • CEH Edinburgh, Scotland, Eiko Nemitz (InGOS Networking Activity on flux measurements)
  • University Helsinki, Finland, Ivan Marmarella (InGOS JRA on the landscape scale experiment)
  • Finnish Meteorological Institute, Tuomas Laurila
  • VU Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Luca Belelli Marchesini
  • Alterra, Wageningen, the Netherlands, Jan Elbers
  • Lund University, Sweden, Anders Lindroth
  • Utrecht university, , the Netherlands, Thomas Rockmann
  • ECN, Petten, the Netherlands, Arjan Hensen