GREENFLUX · Micrometeorological techniques for in situ measurements of greenhouse gases exchange

Final Activity Report Summary - GREENFLUX (Micrometeorological techniques for in situ measurements of greenhouse gases exchange)

The GREENFLUX project has focused mainly on transferring to Poland the knowledge and development of two micrometeorological techniques applied for GHG fluxes measurements: chambers and the REA - Relaxed Eddy Accumulation. The Meteorology Department of Poznan University of Life Sciences (PULS) has had experience in Eddy Covariance technique applied for measurements of CO2 and H2O fluxes exchanged between ecosystem and the atmosphere, as well as in static chamber measurements of CH4 fluxes. Both techniques were applied for GHG fluxes measurements on Polish wetland site (Rzecin) since beginning of 2003 and 2005, respectively. To have better idea about spatial distribution of measured fluxes the new techniques were transferred to Poland within GREENFLUX. The knowledge about dynamic chamber technique and chamber measurements in field conditions, as well as GHG fluxes modelling over whole year was transferred and developed in cooperation with Technische Universitat Munchen (TUM) and Leibnitz Centre for Agricultural Research (ZALF) in Muncheberg (both from Germany). While, the knowledge about the REA system construction and operation was achieved in cooperation with the University of Helsinki. Within GREENFLUX, the dynamic set of chambers (dark and transparent) developed by Partner institutions as well as measurement protocol were modified by PULS and then applied for continuous measurements of CO2 fluxes over PULS wetland site. There were several experiments performed within project in order to: 1) modify chamber ventilation, sealing, pressurisation, 2) standardise chamber measurement protocol, 3) standardise gas analyser applied, 4) develop automatic cooling system for chambers, 5) develop tall chamber for measurements in tall vegetation. Several steps of chamber improvements were done and presently for example the chamber sealing system developed by PULS is applied in Germany by ZALF. The new chambers applied for measurements of GHG fluxes in eastern part of Germany are ordered in Poznan small-size company and made according to GREENFLUX modifications. The REA system constructed and tested within GREENFLUX is one of the few such systems constructed in Europe and its operation scheme is very innovative. The system is applied only for CH4 fluxes measurements on wetland site (the LOSGATOS fast methane analyser is applied). The REA system developed in PULS is a prototype which still is under testing phase, but without any improvements can be easily applied for field measurements (field tests of the system were performed in 2010 with success). Within the frame of GREENFLUX the micrometeorological software necessary for the chamber and REA systems operation were developed and modified several times to be applicable at each conditions with the systems running automatically. Simultaneously, a micrometeorological database was developed in order to arrange and easily work with all measured data. What is more, the software for fluxes calculation and modelling procedure of CO2 fluxes over whole year were developed and applied in practice. What is however the most important outcome of the GREENLFLUX, is a development of the concept of measuring network of GHG fluxes in Poland. Thanks to efforts of the GREENFLUX coordinator Prof. Janusz Olejnik (focal point of the ICOS infrastructure in Poland), the ICOS-PL (Integrated Carbon Observation System_Poland) concept has been developed and proposed to the Polish government as a long-term infrastructure that can be developed within the ESFRI European ICOS infrastructures (being already in a preparatory phase in several countries) in order to monitor GHG fluxes at national and European levels. The concept of ICOS-PL has been already registered as one of the strategic activity of the Polish National Roadmap of Research Infrastructure. The core groups of different institutions interested in development of GHG monitoring infrastructure in PL have been organised. Five atmospheric stations and more than 10 ecosystem sites will be organised within the integrated infrastructure network of ICOS-PL.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union