A NOVEL CORRELATION FLUX METER FOR METHANE

AERODYNE'S SPECTRAL CORRELATOR TECHNOLOGY WILL BE ADAPTED TODETECTION OF METHANE IN ITS 3.3 UM VIBRATIONAL MODE. THE RESULTING FAST (10 HZ), ACCURATE (BETTER THAN 3% OF AMBIENT)INFRARED METHANE DETECTOR WILL BE DESIGNED (PHASE I), RUGGEDIZED AND OPTIMIZED FOR FIELD USE (PHASE II). WHEN COUPLED TO AND CORELATED WITH SONIC ANEMOMETER MEASUREMENTS OF TURBULENT EDDY VELOCITY FLUCTUATIONS, THE SPECTRAL CORRELATOR METHANE METER WILL YIELD ACCURATE FLUX MEASUREMENTS FOR ATMOSPHERIC METHANE SOURCES FROM MARSHES, RICE PADDIES, FOREST SOILS AND OTHER GEOPHYSICAL LOCALS. DURING PHASE II SPONSORSHIP THE COMPLETED METHANE FLUX METER SYSTEM WILL BE DEMONSTRATED UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS IN COOPERATION WITH NCAR PERSONNEL.