2014: Hardware to study in-situ biogenic components in the lowest layers of our atmosphere and their influence on air pollution.
Forests are important emission sources of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOC). These chemical components play an important role in atmospheric chemistry and have an influence on air pollution. The goal of the IMpact of Phenology and Environmental Conditions on biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds emissions from Forest Ecosystems (IMPECVOC) project is the study of the BVOC emissions and the influence of different parameters such as age of the tree, temperature, availability of water, etc. BIRA-IASB’s Engineering service manufactured some of the hardware for this project.
Delivery year: 2014 and following
For this research, the scientists use walk-in growth rooms where young trees can be studied in controlled circumstances, but also measurements in forests in the neighborhood of Ghent and in Vielsalm are performed. The latter are realized using large towers (height of 50 m in Vielsalm). For the measurements, Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometer (PTR-MS) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) instruments are used.
IMPECVOC installation on a remote site in Ghent. Credits BIRA-IASB.
BIRA-IASB’s Engineering service is responsible for the construction of the measurement cells (so called ‘cuvettes’, fully equipped branch enclosures) and measurement equipment in the towers, as well as for the development of the associated hard- and software for controlling the experiments.
