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A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Mobile methane measurements: Effects of instrument specifications on data interpretation, reproducibility, and isotopic precision
Abstract Recent research has used mobile methane (CH4) measurements to identify and quantify emissions, but the effect of instrument response time on concentration measurements is rarely considered. Furthermore, stable isotope ratios are increasingly used in mobile measurements to attribute sources, but the precision of mobile isotopic measurements depend on a combination of instrument and measurement conditions. Here we tested the effect of instrument speed on concentration measurements by outfitting a vehicle with isotopic and concentration-only gas analysers with different response times and conducting multiple mobile surveys. Additionally, we performed a sensitivity analysis for the isotopic precision achievable under different conditions by programming a physical model, validated with empirical data from our mobile surveys. We found that slower response time led to a greater underestimation of measured CH4 concentration, during both driving and stationary measurements, while the area under peaks in concentration is consistent and provides a robust means of comparing data between instruments. We also explore the use of an algorithm to improve instrument response. Our sensitivity analysis showed that the precision of isotopic measurements increases with the concentration range and the duration of the measurement following a power law. Our findings have important implications for the reporting and comparability of results between surveys with different instrumental setups and provide a framework for optimising sampling strategies under given objectives, conditions, and instrument capabilities.
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Highlights Gas analyser response time affects mobile concentration measurements. Slower response time can lead to underestimating true concentrations. Peak areas of plume measurements are independent of response time. We developed a model to test effects on precision of mobile isotopic measurements. Isotopic precision improves with both concentration range and measurement duration.
Mobile methane measurements: Effects of instrument specifications on data interpretation, reproducibility, and isotopic precision
Abstract Recent research has used mobile methane (CH4) measurements to identify and quantify emissions, but the effect of instrument response time on concentration measurements is rarely considered. Furthermore, stable isotope ratios are increasingly used in mobile measurements to attribute sources, but the precision of mobile isotopic measurements depend on a combination of instrument and measurement conditions. Here we tested the effect of instrument speed on concentration measurements by outfitting a vehicle with isotopic and concentration-only gas analysers with different response times and conducting multiple mobile surveys. Additionally, we performed a sensitivity analysis for the isotopic precision achievable under different conditions by programming a physical model, validated with empirical data from our mobile surveys. We found that slower response time led to a greater underestimation of measured CH4 concentration, during both driving and stationary measurements, while the area under peaks in concentration is consistent and provides a robust means of comparing data between instruments. We also explore the use of an algorithm to improve instrument response. Our sensitivity analysis showed that the precision of isotopic measurements increases with the concentration range and the duration of the measurement following a power law. Our findings have important implications for the reporting and comparability of results between surveys with different instrumental setups and provide a framework for optimising sampling strategies under given objectives, conditions, and instrument capabilities.
Graphical abstract Display Omitted
Highlights Gas analyser response time affects mobile concentration measurements. Slower response time can lead to underestimating true concentrations. Peak areas of plume measurements are independent of response time. We developed a model to test effects on precision of mobile isotopic measurements. Isotopic precision improves with both concentration range and measurement duration.
Mobile methane measurements: Effects of instrument specifications on data interpretation, reproducibility, and isotopic precision
Takriti, Mounir (author) / Wynn, Peter M. (author) / Elias, Dafydd M.O. (author) / Ward, Susan E. (author) / Oakley, Simon (author) / McNamara, Niall P. (author)
Atmospheric Environment ; 246
2020-11-05
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Interpretation of Specifications
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