ICOS Atmospheric Class 1 site
The Integrated Carbon Observation System, ICOS provides standardized and open data from more than 140 measurement stations across 14 European countries. The stations observe greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere as well as carbon fluxes between the atmosphere, the land surface and the oceans. Thus, ICOS is rooted in three domains: Atmosphere, Ecosystem and Ocean. Focusing on the ICOS Atmosphere network, it includes stations in 14 European countries. Each of the current 36 Atmosphere stations measures greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, as well as meteorological parameters. According to the air-masses predominantly targeted, these stations are classified into 3 types:
- continental stations, targeting predominantly continental air-masses;
- coastal stations targeting predominantly marine air-masses;
- mountain stations, targeting predominantly free tropospheric air (during night).
Moreover, according to the set of parameters measured, the stations are further classified into Class 1 and Class 2 stations. The former manages a large range of mandatory and recommended measurements, whereas the latter operates only a subset of these.
Starting from June 2023, an ICOS atmosphere continental site will be operational at CNR IMAA. This site will be a Class 1 station and will provide measurement of greenhouse gas concentrations (CO2, CH4, N2O, etc.) at three levels of altitude (10m, 50m and 100m) using advanced instrumentation and a tall tower where the air sampling lines are housed. The tall tower is made of steel and is a cable-stayed type. It has plan dimensions of 6.00 x 3.00m and extends up to a total height of 104 m with a stay rod system consisting in 4 stays which reach the ground on 4 separate foundations from 4 different levels along the tower. The tower is accessible via an internal staircase up to the top and is also equipped with a service lift with stops every 10.00m in height. In addition to the sampling lines (EATON Synflex 1300 tubes), three meteorological stations will be placed on the tall tower (at 10m, 50m, and 100m).
