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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #320432
Title: An inexpensive automatic sampler with static chambers for nitrous oxide emission measurement

Author
item Gao, Suduan
item Hendratna, Aileen
item PFLAUM, T. - Consultant

Submitted to: International Journal of Environmental Science and Development
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2016
Publication Date: 8/1/2016
Citation: Gao, S., Hendratna, A., Pflaum, T. 2016. An inexpensive automatic sampler with static chambers for nitrous oxide emission measurement. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development. 8(1):55-61. doi: 10.18178/ijesd.2017.8.1.920.

Interpretive Summary: Static flux chambers are regularly used to measure emissions such as greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, but the sampling is laborious. In this research, an autosampler was constructed in-house at low cost that is easy to operate/maintain to increase sampling efficiency. This paper provides the information about the design, materials, and guidance for construction and potential modifications. The product is intended to help researchers construct autosamplers to meet various research needs.

Technical Abstract: Static flux chambers are often used to determine emission flux of gases such as greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). However, the sampling process is laborious especially when many treatments/plots are included to compare treatment effects in the effort to develop mitigation strategies. To solve this problem, we constructed an automatic sampler (autosampler) at low cost, simple to operate, and easy maintenance, and we used it with static chambers to sample N2O emissions. The construction involves mechanical including mainly woodwork for a chassis (mounting board), syringe mounting block, and servo mounting block, and electronics for the controller involving hardware assembly, soldering, and programming to control the operation of the sampler. This paper provides the detailed information and instructions as well as price of materials for the construction of the sampler with the flexibility for modification to meet various research needs. The samplers were used to measure N2O emissions in a pomegranate field demonstrating improved sampling efficiency. The results illustrated treatment differences with much higher flux from surface drip irrigation than that from subsurface drip irrigation.