Spectronus TM Sets Sail
Spectronus TM Sets Sail on Summer Antarctica Research Expeditions Main pic: The Aurora Australis in Hobart prior its departure to Antarctica, carrying out research into atmospheric aerosols and greenhouse gases. ECOTECH’s Spectronus TM gas analyser is an integral part of an Australian multi-university research project to study how aerosol gases form in clean atmospheres. In November 2018, the Spectronus TM – the first multispecies greenhouse and other trace gases analyser – was on board Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker, the Aurora Australis, as it cruised the Southern Ocean from Hobart to various Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations. Over four voyages throughout the summer, research equipment housed in a purpose-built “AIRBOX” was on the Aurora Australis measuring and provided data on aerosol gases. The Spectronus TM was specifically measuring small variations of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (CH 4 ), nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and carbon monoxide (CO) during latitudinal changes as the ship sailed. TOGETHER 2019 Issue 6
The Australian Research Council (ARC) funded the instrumented atmospheric chemistry container “AIRBOX”, and has funded a multi-university research grant to conduct a study focused on aerosol formation, and the mechanism of how these gases form in clean atmospheres in the Antarctic region. The research, led by Dr Robyn Schofield, from the University of Melbourne, was conducted in association with the University of Wollongong and other academic partners. Investing in research to solve environmental problems Designed and created by Prof. David Griffith from the University of Wollongong’s School of Chemistry & Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry, Spectronus TM is the result of more than two decades of research. It is manufactured under an exclusive licence by ECOTECH and continues to evolve and be upgraded with expert guidance and input from Prof. Griffith, who also provides ongoing technical support for customers. Based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), the Spectronus TM is the only analyser with the ability to quantify real-time measurements of multiple gases and isotopes simultaneously, within the single instrument. It has been adopted by research scientists, universities and government-funded agencies around the world for its precision and holistic approach, revolutionising the way that greenhouse and trace gases are analysed both in the field and in the laboratory. “Precision monitoring instruments like Spectronus play a significant role in the success of research projects like this,” said Prof. David Griffith. “ Precision monitoring instruments like Spectronus TM play a significant role in the success of research projects like this. ” “ECOTECH’s involvement and ongoing collaboration with the scientific community helps us identify and make a positive contribution towards solving environmental problems,” he added. (Continues on page 6) ecotech.com 5
