Introduction: 

A new site for the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) : a 38 meter high tower and a 6 meter high container (Figure 1). Multiple researchers from the Netherlands have installed various sensors to measure meteorological and air quality components.

Photo 1: The new tower, 38m tall, rising up far above the 22m trees.

One of the biggest challenges is obtaining the ICOS label as Ecosystem site (class 2). For this purpose, some components need to be installed and their data automatically transmitted to the ICOS carbon portal. This includes Eddy covariance measurements (u,v,w, T, CO₂, H₂O at the top of the tower to measure momentum flux, sensible and latent heat flux and net CO₂ flux, photo 2)

Photo 2: The eddy covariance system for fluxes of momentum, sensible and latent heat and CO₂ and  VOC fluxes.

HealthyPhoton Technology Co., Ltd. has provided HT8700 Open-path NH₃ Analyzer to measure ammonia fluxes in the tower.(photo 3) Due to the unique open optical path and low power design of the HT8700, it is one of the few instruments in the world capable of measuring canopy ammonia flux, and it is also one of the rare Chinese devices selected for the European Integrated Carbon Observation Network.

About ICOS:

The Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) is a pan-European research infrastructure designed for quantifying and understanding the greenhouse gas (GHG) balance in Europe. Its aim is to collect and assess various measurement methods, gather high-quality observational data, and promote data utilization, such as simulating GHG fluxes or supporting emission data verification. This will aid in urban development to implement climate action plans.

Through the analysis of regional and annual changes in European carbon sinks, it highlights the necessity of further reducing carbon emissions to achieve carbon neutrality goals.