On a recent voyage along the west coast of Greenland with the expedition ship M/V Fridtjof Nansen (HX | HurtigrutenExpeditions), PAMOS was successfully tested. The system contributed to the collection of valuable data, which is of great importance both for the scientific community and for the further development of climate research. These measurements close a crucial gap in the available observational data over the oceans, as they collect information on aerosol and soot particles, selected trace gases such as CO2 and methane, as well as relevant meteorological parameters.
The collection of such data is not only essential for basic research, but also for the development of strategies to tackle climate change. The more accurate and comprehensive the data collected, the more precise the climate models and forecasts can be. PAMOS makes a valuable contribution to the monitoring and understanding of our environment by providing highly relevant data from places that could previously only be insufficiently observed.
Technical details of the PAMOS atmosphere measuring box
Functions and areas of application
The PAMOS atmospheric measurement box is a sophisticated, mobile measurement system specially developed for the precise recording and analysis of climate variables. Its design allows for flexible deployment both at sea and on land, making it ideal for scientific expeditions and research projects in remote or hard-to-reach areas. PAMOS is designed to measure a wide range of atmospheric parameters, filling an important gap in global environmental monitoring.
The system is particularly suitable for use on mobile platforms such as expedition ships, ferries and container ships, but also on research vessels, where it can collect and process data in real time. This mobility makes it possible to carry out critical measurements even in remote ocean regions that are traditionally underserved. Due to its robust design, PAMOS is able to operate reliably in a wide range of environmental conditions, making it an indispensable tool in climate research.
Recorded parameters
The PAMOS atmospheric measurement box records a large number of key climate variables that are of crucial importance for understanding atmospheric processes. The recorded parameters include:
-
Aerosol and soot particles: These particles play a central role in climate research, as they have both direct and indirect effects on the Earth's radiation balance. PAMOS measures the concentrations of these particles in the atmosphere in order to better understand their influence on the climate.
-
Trace gases: The system records the concentrations of key trace gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and methane (CH₄), both of which are significant greenhouse gases. These measurements are crucial for monitoring climate change and modeling future climate scenarios.
-
Meteorological data: In addition, PAMOS also collects basic meteorological data such as temperature, air pressure and humidity. This information is essential in order to place the measured atmospheric data in its meteorological context and thus obtain a comprehensive picture of atmospheric conditions.
By combining these diverse measurements, PAMOS provides a detailed insight into the atmosphere and its interactions with the oceans, making it a valuable tool for scientists and researchers worldwide.
Contribution from smartGas
smartGas plays a crucial role in the functioning of the PAMOS atmospheric measurement box by providing high-precision sensors that are essential for the detection of key climate variables. These sensors are designed to measure trace gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and methane (CH₄) in the atmosphere with the highest accuracy. The precision and reliability of the sensors developed by smartGas enable PAMOS to detect even the smallest changes in the concentration of these gases in real time, which is invaluable for climate research.
In addition, the sensors are known for their durability and robustness, which is particularly important in demanding environments such as at sea. Their ability to provide consistently accurate data under adverse conditions contributes significantly to the overall functionality and reliability of the PAMOS measurement box. The smartGas sensors are therefore a central component of the measurement system and ensure the collection of data that is essential for analyzing and understanding global climate change.
Cooperation and development
The development of the PAMOS atmospheric measurement box was a joint project involving several highly specialized partners. smartGas worked closely with the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) in Bremerhaven as part of the SOOP (Shaping an Ocean of Possibilities for science-industry collaboration) innovation platform and the company TTC Wettstetten to ensure that the PAMOS measurement box meets the high requirements for precision and reliability.
During development, it contributed its expertise in sensor technology and ensured that the sensors were seamlessly integrated into the overall system. This close collaboration made it possible to create a measurement system that can be used not only on scientific expeditions, but also in long-term environmental monitoring programs.
The cooperation between smartGas, AWI / SOOP and TTC Wettstetten was characterized by an intensive exchange of know-how and technological innovations. Together, they were able to develop a measurement box that is capable of providing precise and reliable data, which is of crucial importance for climate research. This partnership shows how innovative solutions to complex scientific challenges can be created by pooling expertise from different fields.
Test on the M/V Fridtjof Nansen
The 15-day test phase of the PAMOS atmospheric measurement box on the expedition ship M/V Fridtjof Nansen was an important step in testing the performance of the system under real conditions. During this time, PAMOS was in continuous use and collected data on a variety of atmospheric parameters.
One of the biggest challenges for use on ships is the unstable weather and salt water. The measurements of aerosol and trace gases can only be carried out in dry conditions, as the high-precision sensor technology suffers when wet. Therefore, the measurements must be automatically interrupted in adverse conditions and it must be ensured that no water reaches the sensors. On the Nansen, PAMOS demonstrated impressive reliability and performance even in bad weather and functioned without any major failures during the entire test phase.
Another focus of the test was the further development of the automation software that controls the system. During the expedition, the software was continuously adapted and improved in order to optimize data acquisition and simplify the usability of the system. These adjustments helped to increase the efficiency of the measurements and further improve the user-friendliness of the PAMOS box.
Results and initial findings
The data collected during the test phase provided valuable insights into the atmospheric conditions along the expedition ship's route. The aerosol measurements yielded values that were within the expected range, confirming the high precision and reliability of the PAMOS sensors. These data contribute significantly to a better understanding of the distribution and concentration of aerosol and soot particles over the oceans.
However, the measurements of the trace gases carbon dioxide, methane, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide showed some unexpected results. In certain periods, the measured concentrations were outside realistic orders of magnitude, which may indicate possible calibration problems or external influences. These deviations are now being analyzed in close cooperation with the partners involved, including smartGas. The aim is to identify the causes of these anomalies and adapt the system accordingly in order to obtain even more accurate and reliable data in future operations.
Overall, the test phase was a great success and provided valuable data and insights that are crucial for the further development of PAMOS and the planning of future missions. The cooperation between the partners involved and the continuous optimization of the system during the test have shown that PAMOS is ready to make an important contribution to climate research and the improvement of global environmental monitoring.
Future prospects and cooperation within the framework of SOOP
Importance of the SOOP innovation platform
The SOOP platform (Shaping an Ocean Of Possibilities for science-industry collaboration) is a pioneering HGF innovation platform that aims to improve ocean observation through close collaboration between science and industry and the active involvement of the public. By developing and providing cost-efficient, user-friendly and standardized measurement systems such as the PAMOS atmospheric measurement box, SOOP contributes to enabling broader and more precise oceanic and atmospheric data collection.
image5
SOOP aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by promoting innovative technologies that are useful for both academic research and industrial applications. The focus is not only on data collection, but also on creating an open, accessible data platform where this valuable information can be collected, made available and used. This data is crucial for the development of climate models, the prediction of weather events and the long-term monitoring of environmental changes.
Future uses of PAMOS
Following the successful test on the M/V Fridtjof Nansen, further deployments of the PAMOS atmospheric measurement box are being planned. These future missions will be spread across different regions of the world's oceans to enable even more comprehensive data collection. PAMOS will help to paint a more detailed picture of global climate variables, particularly in oceanic regions that have been little studied to date.
smartGas will continue to play a central role in these operations by continuing to supply precise sensors and supporting the continuous improvement and calibration of the system. This expertise will be crucial to ensure that PAMOS always provides reliable data, even under changing conditions, and thus makes a valuable contribution to global climate research.
Involvement of partners and citizens
A special feature of the SOOP innovation platform is the involvement of a wide range of partners, including industrial companies, scientific institutions and the public. Through the collaboration of the founding organizations AWI, GEOMAR and Hereon with companies such as smartGas and TTC Wettstetten, SOOP creates a network that pools knowledge and resources to develop innovative solutions for ocean observation.
In addition, SOOP promotes the active participation of citizens in data collection and analysis. These citizen science projects enable interested individuals to participate in scientific projects and make their own contribution to climate research. This involvement not only raises public awareness of the importance of ocean observation, but also collects a broader range of data that is invaluable for scientific analysis.
SOOP thus impressively demonstrates how innovative technologies can be developed and used through collaboration between science, industry and society in order to overcome the challenges of climate change. PAMOS is an outstanding example of such a project that has emerged from this collaboration and will play a central role in global environmental monitoring in the future.
Conclusion
The PAMOS atmospheric measurement box has proven to be an innovative and powerful instrument for recording essential climate variables on mobile platforms, especially at sea. Its recent test on the expedition ship M/V Fridtjof Nansen has shown that PAMOS is capable of collecting valuable data that helps to improve our understanding of global climate and environmental processes. The high-precision sensors supplied by smartGas play a central role in this, as they enable the accurate measurement of trace gases. This data is crucial for modeling and predicting climatic developments.
The successful collaboration between smartGas, AWI and TTC Wettstetten in the development and optimization of PAMOS demonstrates the importance of interdisciplinary partnerships in driving technological innovation that can make a real difference in climate research.