Biometeorology Laboratory

Responsible Dr. Paul Di Tommasi: paul.ditommasi@cnr.it

The CNR-ISAFOM Biometeorology Laboratory has consolidated experience in the design and manufacture of measurement equipment for applications in ecophysiology and micrometeorology for crop and forest systems. In this respect, there are normally no set routines or protocols, being in many respects a development facility.

The main focus of measurements is on the exchange of mass and energy at the ecosystem scale, including evapotranspiration, and especially greenhouse gases. These are complemented by environmental measurements necessary for characterising the physical environment under study, continuous weather measurements (including soil measurements) and discrete biomass and soil sampling (including agronomic and biometric surveys).

Measurements are generally carried out in the open field. A great deal of research is carried out at the permanent monitoring station in Borgo Cioffi (Eboli, SA), the laboratory's main infrastructure, in operation since 2001. On a buffalo farm, the relationships between greenhouse gas emissions, agronomic management and climate are studied.

In addition to atmospheric measurement systems, automatic couvette systems (chambers) are developed for the study of gaseous exchanges with the atmosphere on a small scale and mobile measurement stations.

Part of the activity is aimed at monitoring industrial and urban pollution.

Sensors used: anemometers (sonic and cup), radiometers (thermopile and photocell), thermocouples, thermistors, humidity and temperature sensors, infrared thermometers, barometric pressure, rain gauges.

Main types of analysers used: IRGA, laser spectroscopy, cavity enhanced laser absorption, ECD-FID gas chromatography, PTR-MS mass spectrometry.

The trace gases analysed include: CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, NH₃, NOX, VOC and O₃.

The laboratory is equipped for the installation, maintenance and calibration of the equipment used, both in the laboratory and in the field, and has a warehouse for storing unused systems and equipment.

The equipment includes:

• Instrumentation for electrical and electronic systems
• Mechanical equipment
• Gas distribution system (air, nitrogen and mixtures)
• Pneumatic equipment
• PC for data analysis and storage
• Workbenches and welding workstations

Typical applications are:

• Meteorological measurements in the atmosphere and soil
• Turbulent correlation technique (eddy-covariance)
• Mass and energy balances (including water balances)
• Vertical profiles in atmosphere
• Automatic couvette systems for the study of soil-atmosphere exchange at small scales