Articles | Volume 17, issue 22
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-6625-2024
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-6625-2024
Research article
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20 Nov 2024
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 20 Nov 2024

Eddy covariance with slow-response greenhouse gas analysers on tall towers: bridging atmospheric and ecosystem greenhouse gas networks

Pedro Henrique Herig Coimbra, Benjamin Loubet, Olivier Laurent, Laura Bignotti, Mathis Lozano, and Michel Ramonet

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Executive editor
The manuscript presents an approach for enabling direct flux measurements of greenhouse gases to already existing tall tower networks by simply adding a 3D sonic anemometer to each station. This way, the spatial information density about the land surface exchange and quantifying temporal sources and sinks of greenhouse gases would be significantly improved with little extra instrumental effort. Slower-response analyzers may be used for flux measurements as the relevant frequency ranges at tall towers differ from those closer to the land surface. Tall tower measurements have larger footprints than classical eddy-covariance ecosystem sites, which further amplify spatial coverage of observations. Still, detailed knowledge of surrounding footprints is needed. The presented concept is of high relevance within the scientific greenhouse gas community and may act as a blueprint for bridging scales between atmospheric and ecosystem networks.
Short summary
This study presents direct flux measurements in tall towers using existing slow-response analysers and adding 3D sonic anemometers. This way, we can significantly improve greenhouse gas monitoring with little extra instrumental effort. Slow-response analysers may be used here as the relevant frequency ranges depend on measuring height. Tall towers offer a large footprint, amplifying spatial coverage. The presented concept is a valuable bridge between atmospheric and ecosystem communities.
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