Greenhouse gas campaign started despite the Corona crisis

The Erken Laboratory has this week started its greenhouse gas  flux campaign. By using floating chamber devices, the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂0) from limnic systems are measured at different transects on lake Erken. These novel chambers are developed by David Bastviken and his research team at Linköping University. The monitoring campaign is part of SITES Water and runs throughout the open water season at five stations (Abisko, Asa, Svartberget, Skogaryd and Erken). These unprecedented times in regard to COVID-19 has made it more difficult to commence this sampling campaign; station staff has been retained abroad and measures to keep social distancing on a small boat has been implemented. By “outsourcing” staff from the SITES secretariat and engaging a master student, the campaign has successfully started and by the end of the season a unique monitoring series will be provided to the research community.

The Erken team around Christer Strandberg , Evelina Hiltunen and Holger Villwock practicing social distancing on a boat during the Greenhouse Gas monitoring campaign for SITES Water. Photographer: Holger Villwock.