Blogs

By André Bals

With the release of our newest instrument, the G5101-i for N₂O concentration and isotope analysis, Picarro is ready to give scientists (not to mention policy makers and concerned citizens) more insight into the global nitrogen cycle and its interdependence with agriculture, climate, and the Earth’s natural ecosystems. Now our customers can easily and precisely measure the four most critical greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), water vapor (H₂O), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).

UC Santa Barbara scientists, Dr. Ira Leifer, Paige Farrell and Dan Culling recently completed a methane measurement transect of the southern US while en-route to deliver their Picarro flux analyzer to a waiting ship in Louisiana.   The Picarro analyzer and other equipment was originally intended only for shipboard measurements, but Dr. Leifer calculated, that for the cost of shipping and airfare to the port, they could drive the instrument instead, and use the opportunity to gather long-distance mobile methane data.

Our customers often measure some unusual things with our instruments. Liquids, gases and solids of all types, from deep sea vent water to bat breath to moth wings. We've collected a list of the weirdest… and we’ve added a few of our own as well as a few that we just made up. See if you can spot the fake analyses!

1 - Session IG1/GMPV2.3/HS2.22/SSP5.1/SSS13.5/TS1.8, room 42 on Friday, 27 Apr 2012, 09:30:

EGU2012-13328
Online Compound-Specific  δ¹³C and δD Determinations Using Laser Spectroscopy

by N. Saad and J. Hoffnagle

2- Session ERE5.2, room 28 on Thursday, 26 Apr 2012, 14:30

EGU2012-12895

This past week a gathering of climate, ecology, economic and legal researchers and experts took place in London. Planet Under Pressure 2012 sought to address the global sustainability challenge as we enter the Anthropocene. Questions that were posed and debated include: how can we marry the needs of the developed and developing worlds? How can we leverage the latest research to increase economic output?

Multinational companies that are deriving a profit from chocolate products need to take responsibility for their supply chains, particularly if they involve child labor or illicit trade practices, both of which are occurring in the cocoa industry as we speak. The International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) and other NGOs have raised this issue.

One thing I probably do a little too much of in this job is travel. While it can be a hassle, you do get to see a lot of places, meet a lot of interesting people and grow on both personal and professional levels. And like all matters in life, there are the little things that bring a smile to your face; learning cultural stereotypes are indeed expressed through national train operations; most people are nice, courteous and generally happy to talk to a visitor; every local food/drink is just great; and last but not least, the in-flight magazines can be good entertainment.

In January, Picarro introduced a first-of-its-kind solution for natural gas pipeline leak detection and measurement, based on our new series of methane isotope analyzers. The new solution, called the Picarro Surveyor™ for Natural Gas Leaks, measures methane plumes in the air, maps them, and then immediately alerts users and repair teams upon leak detection in real-time while traveling at normal driving speeds.

Methane and City Carbon^TM have become buzzwords here at Picarro. Surely anyone familiar with carbon emissions and climate change knows that methane is a potent greenhouse gas and most emissions originate from cities.