Evaluation and optimization of ICOS atmospheric station data as part of the labeling process

Abstract

Abstract. The Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) is a pan-European research infrastructure which provides harmonized and high precision scientific data on the carbon cycle and the greenhouse gas (GHG) budget. All stations have to undergo a rigorous assessment before being labeled, i.e. receiving approval to join the network. In this paper, we present the labeling process for the ICOS atmospheric network through the 23 stations that have been labeled between November 2017 and November 2019. We describe the labeling steps as well as the quality controls used to verify that the ICOS data (CO2, CH4, CO and meteorological measurements) attain the expected quality level defined within ICOS. To ensure the quality of the GHG data, three to four calibration gases and two target gases, one measured two to three times a day, the other with the calibration gases (twice a month) are measured. The data are controlled on a weekly basis and tests on the station sampling lines are performed twice a year. From these high-quality data, we conclude that regular calibrations of the CO2, CH4 and CO analyzers used here (twice a month) are important in particular for carbon monoxide (CO) due to the analyzer's variability and that reducing the number of calibration injections (from four to three) in a calibration sequence is possible and permits saving gas and extend the calibration gas lifespan. We also show that currently, the on-site water vapor correction test does not deliver quantitative results possibly due to environmental factors. Thus the use of a drying system is strongly recommended. Finally, the mandatory regular intake line tests are shown to be useful to detect artifacts and leaks as shown here via three different examples at the stations.