Design of an automated system of horizontally-closed soil gas exchange measurement chambers

Abstract

Greenhouse gas (CO2, N2O and CH4) exchange measurements between soil and atmosphere are important data when studying agrosystem functioning. These data can be measured on high temporal resolution with automatic chambers. However, automated chamber systems are expensive which limits the number of measuring points on a same site. Besides, researchers are restrained to integrate and understand the spatial variability of the soil metabolic activity and more generally biogeochemistry cycles that are associated to. For this study, we propose a construction plan for a self-made multiplexed system of automated chambers. We chose a system with an horizontal closure to minimise effects due to overpressure during closing events, and to allow the system to be installed under low branches. Here we present some results of leakage tests and at field functioning during several months. A particular attention has been brought to the material cost, to the electric consumption as well as the implementation simplicity. Technical information about the conception, construction and the use of these chambers and output data analyses are detailed in this paper with the drawings, pilot programming and codes for the data analysis.