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Behind the Scenes
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Air Sampling Network
Introduction Surface Network Aircraft Tall Towers Boulder Atmospheric Observatory Baseline Observatories
Boulder Central Facility
Introduction Flask Logistics Lab Why Do We Measure Greenhouse Gases? Why Do We Measure the 6 Gases We Do? Measurement Lab Gas Analyzers Standards Calibration Lab Standards Preparation Manometric System Transfer Calibrations
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Glossary

Measuring & Analyzing Greenhouse Gases: Behind the Scenes

Flask Logistics Laboratory

We will start in the flask logistics lab, the same place that the flasks start their journey. After being checked out, the flasks are shipped all around the world from Hawaii to Mongolia, and even to Antarctica!

photo mosaic of route of flask samples

Trained volunteers and scientists at each of the sampling locations collect the air sample in the flasks (usually in pairs), and send the flasks back to CCGG.

The What’s in the Air video is a look at the atmospheric monitoring efforts being put forth by NOAA’s Carbon Cycle Greenhouse Gases group.

What's in the Air video link
Click on image to learn more about sample collection. Video created by 2009 Hollings Scholar Jacquelyn Topp.

Every year 15,000-20,000 flasks of air are shipped to and from the Boulder Central Facility. With so many identical-looking flasks, it’s vitally important to keep track of them – not only where and when each flask was filled with air, but also recording the results of the measurements. When the filled flasks arrive back at the flask logistics lab, they are assigned an event number that is unique to that particular air sample and is used to identify the sample in a relational database.

flask storage shelves
flask preperation rack
Photos of the flask logistics lab; The storage shelfs for the flasks and the evacuation manifold, where the air is pumped out of the flasks and the flasks checked for leaks.

Gases Measured
The Greenhouse Gas Measurement lab measures for 6 key gasses, but flasks also travel to the Halocarbons & other Atmospheric Trace Species Group, and three INSTAAR labs at the University of Colorado.

About 55 different gases are measured, but not all of the samples get measured for every gas. When a flask arrives in the flask logistics lab, it also gets assigned a “measurement path” that tells everyone in the lab which gases to measure, and in what order.

CO2, CH4 and other key greenhouse gases are measured in nearly every sample in the Greenhouse Gas Measurement Lab, so we’ll go there next. On our way, we will take a short stop to learn why we choose to measure certain gases.

Next:
Why do we measure greenhouse gases?

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