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DOI 10.1007/s10661-018-6488-7
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Title (Primary) Application of open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for atmospheric monitoring of a CO2 back-production experiment at the Ketzin pilot site (Germany)
Author Sauer, U.; Borsdorf, H. ORCID logo ; Dietrich, P. ORCID logo ; Liebscher, A.; Möller, I.; Martens, S.; Möller, F.; Schlömer, S.; Schütze, C.
Source Titel Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Year 2018
Department CHS; MET
Volume 190
Issue 3
Page From art. 114
Language englisch
Keywords Optical remote sensing; Atmospheric monitoring; Open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Release experiment; CO2 leakage; WindTrax simulation; Ketzin pilot site
UFZ wide themes RU5;
Abstract During a controlled “back-production experiment” in October 2014 at the Ketzin pilot site, formerly injected CO2 was retrieved from the storage formation and directly released to the atmosphere via a vent-off stack. Open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP FTIR) spectrometers, on-site meteorological parameter acquisition systems, and distributed CO2 point sensors monitored gas dispersion processes in the near-surface part of the atmospheric boundary layer. The test site provides a complex and challenging mosaic-like surface setting for atmospheric monitoring which can also be found at other storage sites. The main aims of the atmospheric monitoring of this experiment were (1) to quantify temporal and spatial variations in atmospheric CO2 concentrations around the emitting vent-off stack and (2) to test if and how atmospheric monitoring can cope with typical environmental and operational challenges. A low environmental risk was encountered during the whole CO2 back-production experiment. The study confirms that turbulent wind conditions favor atmospheric mixing processes and are responsible for rapid dilution of the released CO2 leading to decreased detectability at all sensors. In contrast, calm and extremely stable wind conditions (especially occurring during the night) caused an accumulation of gases in the near-ground atmospheric layer with the highest amplitudes in measured gas concentration. As an important benefit of OP FTIR spectroscopic measurements and their ability to detect multiple gas species simultaneously, emission sources could be identified to a much higher certainty. Moreover, even simulation models using simplified assumptions help to find suitable monitoring network designs and support data analysis for certain wind conditions in such a complex environment.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=19895
Sauer, U., Borsdorf, H., Dietrich, P., Liebscher, A., Möller, I., Martens, S., Möller, F., Schlömer, S., Schütze, C. (2018):
Application of open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for atmospheric monitoring of a CO2 back-production experiment at the Ketzin pilot site (Germany)
Environ. Monit. Assess. 190 (3), art. 114 10.1007/s10661-018-6488-7