Automated
Automated Soil CO2 Flux Systems – with integrated data collection for multiple stations.
Designed for long-term, unattended monitoring of soil CO2 Flux.
During analysis cycles, the soil is exposed to ambient conditions before the chamber closes to take measurements. The ACE will continue to collect data without any human intervention for as long as permitted by its battery life or electrical source. This makes the ACE an ideal research instrument for continuous assessment of below-ground respiration and carbon stores in on-going experiments into the quantitative nature of the carbon cycle.
The ACE system is an automatic, long term, unattended, soil CO2 Flux system. Each station has its own infrared gas analyzer and each IRGA has its own auto-zero calibration capability for the most reliable measurements. Stations can be miles apart or up to 30 stations may be multiplexed for data collection and to use a single power source. Power sources include mains current, batteries, and solar solutions. Data collection may be by data card, serial port, or remote communications.
Closed mode design chambers measure NCER or Net CO2 Exchange Rate for soil flux. Closed chambers measure faster.
Open mode design chambers measure NCER or Net CO2 Exchange Rate for soil flux. Open chambers measure soil CO2 flux at chamber equilibrium. Open chambers are recommended when there are high photosynthetic rates and for greater accuracy. Measuring times take longer with open chambers.
Soil temperature: Each station can use up to 6 soil thermistor temperature probes at different locations and soil depths.
Soil moisture: Each station can use up to 4 soil moisture probes at different locations and soil depths
PAR: 0 – 3000 µmol m-2 sec-1
CO2: IRGA measurement from 0 – 896 ppm at standard temperature and pressure, 1 ppm or 0.05 mmol m-3 resolution
Flow rate: 200ml min-1 to 5 L min-1 accurate to +/- 3% of FSD.
Transparent and opaque chambers available.
Air pressure
Measurement of CO2:
Standard Range: 0 – 40.0 mmols/m3 or (0-896 ppm at standard temperature and pressure), 1 ppm resolution (0.05 mmols/m3) noise level 1-2 ppm Infrared gas analyzer housed directly adjacent to the soil chamber.
Parameters:
Closed stations report NCER or Net CO2 Exchange Rate determined by the Pedersen (2001) algorithm. Individual assay measurements are made every ten seconds.
Open stations report ΔC or Change in CO2 level in the Open design. Individual assay measurements are made every ten seconds.
PAR – Photosynthetically Active Radiation.
Multiple Soil temperature readouts in deg C.
Multiple Soil moisture readouts as Voltages.
Record number.
Date.
Time.
Cref – Ambient CO2 concentration entering chamber.
Battery power.
Number of measurements in the current experiment.
Maximum time limit for measurement 0- 40 minutes.
ΔCset – A set point at which the CO2 level change terminates the measurement.
Barometric pressure is measured and used in calculations.
IRGA drift correction:
Every station uses auto-zero to zero out IRGA drift before each measurement. Span drift less than 3% over 12 months.
Measurement of PAR:
0-3000 μmols /m2-sec.
Measurement of Soil Temperature:
6 selectable inputs for thermistor or thermocouple devices for different soil depths. Adapters are available for after market products.
Measurement of Soil Moisture:
4 selectable inputs for commercially available sensors. They may be purchased with the system or independently.
Flow Control to Chamber:
200ml – 5L /min (200-3700 μmols).
Flow Accuracy:
+/- 3% of f.s.d.
Display:
240 X 64 dot matrix LCD.
Programming:
Each chamber has a user-friendly interface that is menu driven, and controlled with 5 keys.
Recorded Data:
Removable compact flash cards 1 Gigabyte storage capacity per station.
Power Supply:
External battery, solar panel, wind turbine, AC with converter. One 40Ah car battery provides power for approximately 28 days of continuous use.
Output:
1 Gigabyte Compact Flash data storage card, and RS232 port with User selectable rates of up to 19,200 BAUD (remote solutions available).
Electrical Connections:
Robust waterproof 3 pin din.
Dimensions:
82 X 33 X 13 cm.
Closed Chamber Volume:
2.6 L.
Open Chamber Volume:
1.0 L.
Soil Collar Diameter:
23 cm.
Weight:
9.0 kg.
Construction:
Steel electrically sealed enclosure.
Connections:
Either 10, 20, or 30 ACE station docking port versions, 2 battery ports, two Data card ports and a RS232 port.
Display:
Graphic 240 x 64 dot matrix LCD.
Programming:
User-friendly interface driven by only 5 keys.
Recorded data:
Dual Compact Flash card drive.
RS232 output:
User selectable rates of up to 19200 baud.
Power connection:
100 – 240 VAC 50/60 Hz
Dimensions:
30 X 30 X 15 cm
Weight:
12.0kg
70Ah Battery Belt
Adjustable locking desktop arm
Dark adaptation clip
Pouch of 50 clips
PAR clip
Large universal tripod – extends from 1.4m to 3.2m
Opti-Sciences Inc. manufactures and distributes chlorophyll flurometers, chlorophyll content meters, and specialty fluorometers.
We also distribute products from ADC BioScientific Ltd. in the US.
70 Amp-hour battery belt
This belt is designed to provide a source of power for Opti-Sciences OS5p+ and OS1p fluorometers, used at remote field sites, when recharging is problematic. Scientists also use them for extreme weather conditions. Battery charge life can be significantly reduced under extreme heat or extreme cold conditions.
Articulated locking arm
This is a tripod like accessory that allow PAR clips, The Y(II) meter, or the iFL measuring chamber to be adjusted and locked at various locations, and angles for laboratory measurement. Angles and locations can be quickly set and locked in position with a single adjustment knob.
Instrumentation not included.
Dark adaptation clip
Dark adaption clips are designed to provide an affordable yet reliable measuring solution for large populations of plants. Some Scientists buy hundreds of dark clips. The clips are built with sturdy and weather resistant yet cost effective materials. Flexible gaskets automatically seal the sample area from any light. An easy to operate slider is built-in to expose the sample surface after dark adapting.
Pouch of 50 dark adaptation clips
Dark adaption clips are designed to provide an affordable yet reliable measuring solution for large populations of plants. Some Scientists buy hundreds of dark clips. The clips are built with sturdy and weather resistant yet cost effective materials. Flexible gaskets automatically seal the sample area from any light. An easy to operate slider is built-in to expose the sample surface after dark adapting.
PAR Clip
Opti-Sciences digital PAR clip provides both Photosynthetic Area Radiation measurements and highly accurate leaf temperature using modern thermistor technology accurate to ± 0.5oC. Its bottom opening design allows for a more convenient one-handed operation.
Tripod with articulated arm
This is a large universal tripod that also includes the FL-ARM stand. It can be used for trees or other larger plants. At the top of the tripod is an articulating arm that allows the PAR clip to be adjusted to almost any angle or position. The articulating arm may also be used with a base plate that comes with the FL-T stand, for use in the laboratory, on smaller plants.