Automated AIR sampling

VSI AS-100 Air Sampler. Measuring the gas composition and/or isotopic signature of air reveals crucial information about water use, carbon balance, greenhouse gas emissions or other pollutants in natural or managed ecosystems or urban settings. To support these and similar measurements, we developed the VSI AS-100 Air Sampler to automatically sample ambient air into evacuated / vacuum tubes, vials, exetainers. The products originate from ongoing research projects ("Iso-Drone") with academic partners. 

VSI AS-100 Air Sampler - Specifications

The VSI AS-100 air sampler is both lab (220V) and field operable (12V) for highest versatility in a large range of experimental settings. For example, the air sampler system it is mountable on (eddy flux) towers, in tree canopies and on the ground. Automatic sampling can be triggered according to a predefined time schedule for 24/7 measurements, or sampling can be triggered remotely - avoiding e.g. contamination by exhaled human breath. With the systems, air samples are stored in pre-evacuated, vacuum vials for later routine analyses of gas composition (with a gas chromatograph, mass spectrometer). Sample collection from the immediate vicinity occurs via needle puncture thru a septum, minimising contamination. The suitability of the sampling system to measure isotopic signatures at relevant concentration of CO2 in ambient air samples has been confirmed by initial tests.

 

An automatic vial evacuator (VSI EV-101) to evacuate/reuse vials (incl. helium flushing and a strong vacuum pump) is available as option, allowing to easily prepare "fresh" vacuum tubes both in the lab (220V) and the field (12V).

VSI AS-100 Air Sampler - Details

Images for illustration purposes only, design subject to change without notice

Selected Readings on air sampling and MeasurEments

  • Colborn, T., K. Schultz, L. Herrick, and C. Kwiatkowski. 2014. An exploratory study of air quality near natural gas operations. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal 20:86-105.
  • Farquhar, G.D., Lloyd, J., Taylor, J.A., Flanagan, L.B., Syvertsen, J.P., Hubick, K.T., et al. 1993. Vegetation Effects on the Isotope Composition of Oxygen in Atmospheric CO2. Nature 363:439.
  • Pataki, D. E., J. R. Ehleringer, L. B. Flanagan, D. Yakir, D. R. Bowling, C. J. Still, N. Buchmann, J. O. Kaplan, and J. A. Berry. 2003. The application and interpretation of Keeling plots in terrestrial carbon cycle research. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 17
  • Sordi, A., J. Dieckow, C. Bayer, M. A. Alburquerque, J. T. Piva, J. A. Zanatta, M. Tomazi, C. M. da Rosa, and A. de Moraes. 2014. Nitrous oxide emission factors for urine and dung patches in a subtropical Brazilian pastureland. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 190:94-103.