AutoSampler for High-Throughput Gas Efflux Measurements
VSI GF-500 HT Gas Flux Autosampler. The exchange of gaseous compounds between the atmosphere and different types of surfaces has received increasing interest, not the least in connection with studies of large-scale pollution problems, climate change and biogeochemical cycles.
The GS-500 autosampler allows for a high-throughput surveying of emissions of your trace gases of interest. A common application would be the monitoring of soil samples or microcosms under controlled laboratory settings in a climate chamber. As the system allows for closed-chamber measurements but the samples are incubated within one environment, the standardisation of environmental parameters is beyond commonly applied closed chamber/flask measurements. The autosampler has been successfully tested with PP Systems IRGA and Picarro Isotope Analysers.
HT Gas Flux Autosampler - Features
Key features of the GF-500 HT autosampler platform for laboratory measurments of gas fluxes:
- 10 large sample chambers, incubated under the same environmental conditions, to accommodate samples of different sizes (e.g. different soil rings, small plants etc.)
- Glass chamber to measure ecosystem respiration with small plants, mosses, etc. under light (custom lighting systems required)
- Pre-measurement chamber flushed with ambient air to remove residual gases, additional chamber purging with bottled gases (e.g. synthetic air, N2) optional
- Measurement steps can be freely set, allowing 24/7 measurements, potentially aligned with temperature response curbes (Q10)
- Built-in load-cell allows to determine (potential) water loss by evaporation to be recorded, as an important covariate of soil respiration measurements and as a proxy of plant water supply
- Integrated recording and operation with popular measurement systems preset
Available upon request (customisation):
- Teflon chamber to allow to measure volatiles
- Custom software adaptation to available climate chambers
- Custom software adaptation to available measurement systems (i.e. type of IRGA etc)
VSI GF-500 HT Gas Flux Autosampler Laboratory - Details
Images for illustration purposes only, design subject to change without notice
VSI GF-500 HT Gas Flux Autosampler Laboratory - Specifications
- Weight: ~10 kg
- Dimensions: 640 x 480 x 380 mm (incl. sample plate) --> to be placed inside a climate chamber; open constructions allow for free air flow within climate chambers
- Sample numbers: 1-10 per plate; sample plates easily interchangeable
- Integrated scale to log water loss during incubation
- Maximum sample size: 80 mm diameter, 90 mm height
- UI allow to configure sample duration and time of sampling, time for scrubbing / venting with additional air, varying pump speed
- Pressure compensated
- Energy supply; 24 VDC
- Connectors: HDMI, USB, Ethernet (with lids)
Why and How to Measure Soil Respiration under Controlled, Laboratory Conditions
Soil respiration is an important process involving the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) by soil microorganisms during the decomposition of organic matter. Measuring soil respiration in the laboratory can provide valuable information about the rate of CO2 production and the underlying biological processes. Here are some reasons and ways to measure soil respiration in the laboratory:
- Environmental factors: Measuring soil respiration in the laboratory allows researchers to study the effects of various environmental factors on the process of soil respiration, such as temperature, moisture and nutrient availability.
- Soil quality: Soil respiration is an indicator of soil health, and measuring it in the laboratory can help assess soil quality and determine the impact of land-use practices on soil carbon cycling.
- Carbon fluxes: Measuring soil respiration in the laboratory can be used to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide released by soils and help quantify carbon fluxes in ecosystems. In particular, models depend on determining the dependency of soil respiration on temperature and soil moisture conditions.
How to measure soil respiration in the lab:
- Dynamic closed chamber: This method involves placing a soil sample in a chamber with a known volume of air, then measuring the CO2 concentration at different time intervals to calculate the rate of CO2 production. The VSI autosampler works on this principle.
- Static closed chamber method: This method involves placing a soil sample in a sealed container and measuring the CO2 concentration after a period of time to determine the rate of CO2 production using a gas analyser.
Overall, laboratory measurements of soil respiration can provide valuable insights into the processes of soil carbon cycling and help inform management practices that can improve soil health and mitigate climate change.