Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

Research Applications
CO₂ Concentrations

The CIRES Powered Parachute (PPC) has been used to measure boundary layer and lower tropospehric concentrations of CO₂ over a northern mixed forest (Parks Fall, WY) and an agricultural grass prairie site (Ponca City, OK). CO₂ measurements were made in real-time using a Li-Cor 6252 flown onboard the PPC while air samples were also taken at regular height intervals with a Tedlar bag sampling system developed at CIRES allowing to collect a maximum of twelve 3 liter air samples per flight.

Data from a single PPC flight is shown below depicting the potential temperature, water vapor, ozone and CO2 profiles for both the ascent (red and dark blue dots) and descent (orange and light blue).

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The contour plots below represent potential temperature (top), water vapor (middle), and CO2 concentration (bottom) constructed from 7 consecutive PPC flights. Boundary layer growth can be seen clearly in the potential temperature contour. The uptake of CO2 within the growing boundary layer is easily identified in the bottommost plot where concentrations at the lowest levels decrease by over 7 ppmv over the course of the day.

Click on image for larger version.

Click on image for larger version.

Click on image for larger version.

For more information, contact Mike Jensen at jensenm@cires.colorado.edu