Calibration of the instruments according to ACTRIS and TC recommendations
QA/QC according to ACTRIS recommendations and operation guidelines.
Development and evaluation of new methodologies in the field of analysis of the elemental composition of aerosols. Service open to external users (including private enterprises).
Consultancy and knowledge transfer via higher education institutions, website and discussion forums.
Operators and scientists are trained through courses, workshops and hands-on training sessions. The training enables the operators and scientists to be introduced into the measurement guidelines/SOPs, QA/QC criteria and control, and troubleshooting. Participants are trained in sample preparation, sample analysis and quantification with different instruments. Participants can bring their own samples.
The performance of methods and instruments for measuring the elemental composition of aerosols is evaluated against distributed reference standards.
Provision of up-to-date guidelines for measuring the elemental composition of aerosols.
The performance of NFs measuring elemental composition of particulate matter samples is evaluated based on: QA/QC outputs, participation in inter-laboratory comparisons, calibration and training workshops, and effective data reporting to ACTRIS DC. Service available to external users
Provision of two detailed measurement guidelines for NFs. One for the observational platforms, one for the exploratory platforms that will be developed for current and updated for future needs.
Training and capacity-building (possibility to tailor the training depending on the interests of the participants, e.g. usage of high-resolution-DMA calibration setup, operation of PSM or NAIS, sampling of sub-10nm particles)
This service is to calibrate nano-mobility particle size spectrometers, ion spectrometers or nano-CPCs in the size range of ca. 1-10 nm in mobility diameter
Production , injection , ageing , collection and characterization of atmospheric aerosols. Particulate matter analysis through off-line gravimetric, optical and thermo-optical analysis, Energy Dispersive- X Ray Fluorescence, Ion Chromatography
- Intercomparison of instrumentation to evaluate performance under different environmental conditions.- Study of interferences.- Accommodation of a large number of external instruments. Support in planning and installation.- Use of the chamber for technological development of instruments
TIME CONSTRAINTS: None. Coordination with other activities of the facility is needed.
Provision of diverse platforms with manifolds equipped with ACTRIS-ICOS compliant sampling systems for in-situ aerosol and reactive and greenhouse gases for exercises of instrument intercomparison. The platforms are hosted in two air-conditioned shelters equipped with internet. Multiple inlets to the sampling systems are available for the external users. Provision also of a 300 m2 open terrace which overpass the pines canopy providing a 360º free horizon for optical field calibration and a radiometric calibration laboratory (absolute irradiance calibration and instrument characterization). All platforms are equipped with continuous power supply and security service.
The service includes:
Access to the intercomparison platforms at ARN.
Administrative support for providing access to the facility, a workspace with internet access, and to advice on logistics for equipment transport and users and on accommodation near ARN observatory.
Technical staff support to reception and storage of the transport cases, for adapting the facility to assemble the new equipment, for its installation (internet connection, power supply, etc) and for its operation.
Provision of calibration or intercomparison reports.
Service for training through hands-on-instrument operative and data analysis in accordance with ACTRIS and ICOS requirements. The service applies to in-situ aerosol measurement techniques (variables defined in ACTRIS), aerosol remote sensing (photometry, zenithal radiation and LIDAR), DOAS technique, reactive and greenhouse (ICOS) gases, solar radiation measurements.
Administrative support for providing access to the facility, a workspace with internet access, and to advice on logistics for equipment transport and users and on accommodation near ARN observatory (physical).
Hands-on training for the operation and calibration of the instruments.
Training for the creation of data processing environments, as well as for the use of advanced processing algorithms and tools.
