The BOREAS Information System
P.I.(s): J. Ian MacPherson -- National Research Council of Canada; R. Desjardins -- Agriculture Canada
Co-I(s): P.H. Schuepp -- McGill University; L. Mahrt -- Oregon State University; A. Betts -- Atmospheric Research
Objectives: The NRC Twin Otter (FT) is being used to develop various techniques to obtain large area flux estimates of mass and energy using the aircraft, tower, and spectral data combination. Measurements recorded along a transect between the SSA and NSA are being used to characterize the spatial variations of canopy conductance and determine its usefulness for inferring mass and energy exchange of radiatively important trace gases (CO2, O3, etc.).
The NRC Twin Otter
Objectives:
The NRC Twin Otter (FT) was flown to measure the fluxes of energy and trace gases on site-specific tracks near the primary flux towers, as well as on a 16x16-km grid, and regional transects during all three growing season IFC's of BOREAS. The data will be used to develop various techniques to obtain large area flux estimates of mass and energy using aircraft, tower and remotely sensed data. Measurements made along the transect between the SSA and the NSA will be used to characterize the spatial variations of canopy conductance and determine its usefulness for inferring mass and energy exchange of radiatively important trace gases (CO2, O3, etc.).
Types of Data/Equipment Used:
The NRC Twin Otter atmospheric research aircraft was instrumented to make accurate measurements of the three orthogonal components of atmospheric motion, as well as supporting meteorological parameters such as temperature and dew point, and radiometric data, including incident and reflected solar radiation, surface temperature, greenness index (IR/R), and a four channel satellite simulator. Trace gas analyzers included the Agriculture Canada infrared absorption C02/H20 analyzer, a LICOR-6262 C02/H20 analyzer, three ozone analyzers (2 fast-response, and a TECO-49 for means). All data were recorded at a rate of 16-Hz. BORIS contains run-average meteorological, radiometric and flux data, a run being typically 10-16 km in length. Interested scientists can acquire 16-Hz data from the NRC directly for specific studies.
Flight Summary:
The flight summary that follows includes the operational area (SSA, NSA or transect between), and a brief summary of the tracks flown. Grid flights consist of 9 parallel 16-km tracks at a spacing of 2 km, each grid flown twice for a total of 18 lines. 'Ag' refers to a 18-km agricultural track just NE of Prince Albert. Site specific runs were flown past the principal flux towers identified by: OBS (Old Black Spruce), OJP (old Jack Pine), OA (old Aspen), YJP (Young Jack Pine) and the Fen (SSA only); these runs were usually done in sets of several repeated reciprocal runs; the number in brackets after each entry is the number of runs flown. Another track was flown in the NSA over the 1979 burn in the south half of the grid area. 'CL' refers to the Candle Lake run, a 115-km transect in the SSA across a variety of surface cover from aspen, to mixed forest, a burn, and old black spruce, as well as three lakes (Halkett, Candle, and White Gull). 'L' indicates the L-pattern flown from way points h-i-j identified in the BOREAS Operations Plan, and 'R' denote a special overflight of the NOAA radar set up near OJP in the NSA. 'S' indicates that a sounding, or atmospheric profile was flown, generally from near the surface to above the top of the mixed layer. 'INT' means an intercomparison was accomplished between the Twin Otter and one of the other flux aircraft (KA for King Air, LE for Long-EZ)
This summary refers to just those flights archived in BORIS; it excludes transit and test flights. The Twin Otter flew a total of 57 project flights in the growing season phase of BOREAS. Including transit and test flights, 116 flights totaled 257 flying hours.
Instrumentation Status:
A flight-by-flight listing of instrumentation problems and status is given in BORIS. Only the main points are listed here.
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Last Updated: October 20, 1997