A 30-month field evaluation of low-cost CO2 sensors using a reference instrument
Qixiang Cai,Ning Zeng,Xiaoyu Yang,Chi Xu,Zhaojun Wang,and Pengfei Han
Qixiang Cai
State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Key Laboratory of Urban Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing 100089, China
Carbon Research Center, Qiluzhongke Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Jinan 250100, China
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
Xiaoyu Yang
Department of Ecology and Remote Sensing, Shandong Jinan Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Jinan 250102, China
Chi Xu
State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Quality Control in Environmental Monitoring, China National Environmental Monitoring Centre, Bejing 100012, China
Zhaojun Wang
Department of Ecology and Remote Sensing, Shandong Jinan Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Jinan 250102, China
State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Extreme Meteorology, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Carbon Neutrality Research Center, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Mid- and low-cost CO2 sensors are attractive in carbon monitoring and atmospheric inversions. They are useful in both fixed stations and mobile monitoring. Yet the performance faces great challenges due to environmental impacts and long-term drifts. Here, we conducted 30 months of co-located observations using such sensors with a reference instrument. After corrections of environmental impacts and drifts, the accuracy reached 1–3 ppm. We recommend standard gas calibration within 3–6 months.
Mid- and low-cost CO2 sensors are attractive in carbon monitoring and atmospheric inversions....