REU: Long-Path FTIR Analysis of Ecosystem Processes Over Varying Landscape and Spatial Scales

长程傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)是一种非常有价值的近地表大气痕量气体浓度定量技术。Gosz博士、Dahm博士和Risser博士对二氧化碳、H20、CH4、CO和N2O进行了路径平均分析，光路长度最远为1公里，时间频率最小为1.5秒。到目前为止，他们的研究已经在现场条件下对FTIR仪器进行了广泛的测试，并试验了各种仪器设置组合，以最大限度地提高对不同路径长度和气体的检测灵敏度。该仪器能够对大气中的关键微量气体进行重复的高分辨率分析，这些气体受到陆地和水生营养和能量循环过程的强烈影响。这份延续建议强调了Gosz、Dahm和Risser博士将如何将微气象学领域的新发展与长程FTIR相结合，将生态学提升到一个新的技术成熟水平，从而能够在现场现实的空间和时间尺度上检查关键过程和气体通量的速率。这一建议的主要目标是：1.与生态系统过程相关的试验尺度理论。2.发展路径平均气象通量测量，以量化长路径通量。3.用路径平均气体通量衡量生态系统功能。这项研究工作涉及与理论和实验微气象学家(美国陆军、NOAA、NCAR)以及理论和实验生态系统科学家的跨学科互动。可同时使用FTIR和新的微气象仪器研究的尺度范围弥合了传统生态技术与新兴的大尺度飞行器和卫星技术之间的差距。这项建议的一个主要目标是在适当的尺度上进一步发展生态和气象测量之间的联系，以便用于解决区域和全球环境变化问题。戈兹博士、达姆博士和瑞瑟博士都是富有成效和创新精神的科学家。他们的研究计划为生态系统研究引入了重要的新技术。这项研究得到了极好的制度支持。

Long-path Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR) is a very valuable technique for quantifying trace gas concentrations in the near-surface atmosphere. Drs. Gosz, Dahm, and Risser performed path-averaged analyses for CO2, H20, CH4, CO, and N2O over optical path-lengths ranging as far as 1 km and at temporal frequencies as small as 1.5 second intervals. Their research to date has extensively tested the FTIR instrument under field conditions and experimented with various combinations of instrument setups to maximize detection sensitivity for different path-lengths and gases. The instrument is capable of making repeated high resolution analyses of key trace gases in the atmosphere which are strongly influenced by terrestrial and aquatic nutrient and energy cycling processes. This continuation proposal emphasizes how Drs. Gosz, Dahm, and Risser will interface new developments in the field of micrometeorology with long-path FTIR to move ecology to a new level of technological sophistication that permits the examination of key processes and rates of gas fluxes at realistic spatial and temporal scales in the field. The major objectives of this proposal are: 1. Test Scale Theory Relating to Ecosystem Processes. 2. Develop Path-Averaged Meteorological Flux Measurements to Quantify Long-Path Fluxes. 3. Measure Ecosystem Function with Path-Averaged Gaseous Fluxes. This research effort involves interdisciplinary inter- actions with theoretical and experimental micrometeorologists (U.S. Army, NOAA, NCAR), and theoretical and experimental ecosystem scientists. The range of scales that can be studied with the concurrent use of the FTIR and new micrometeorological instrumentation bridges the gap between traditional ecological techniques and emerging macroscale air-craft and satellite- based technologies. A major goal of this proposal is to further develop links between ecological and meteorological measurements at appropriate scales for use in addressing issues of regional and global environmental change. Drs. Gosz, Dahm, and Risser are productive and innovative scientists. Their research program has introduced important new technology to ecosystem research. The institutional support for this research is excellent.