ICOS-CAL

The Flask and Calibration Laboratory

The Flask and Calibration Laboratory (FCL) is one of the Central Analytical Laboratories of ICOS. It's hosted by the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena.
Mass spectrometer

Mass spectrometer

Flask conditioning oven

Flask conditioning oven

Gas mixture device

Gas mixture device

Calibration using laser-optical instruments

Calibration using laser-optical instruments

FTIR spectrometer

FTIR spectrometer

Compressor

Compressor

Tasks of the FCL

Flask samples

  • analysis of the following parameters in air samples from the ICOS stations
    • trace gas concentrations (CO2, CH4, N2O, H2, CO, SF6)
    • stable isotopes of CO213C and δ18O)
    • O2 level
  • initial conditioning of air sample containers (flasks) to achieve long-term stability of the CO218O signature
  • routine leak test of flasks
  • sampler development and production

Standard gases

  • production of real air reference gases for ICOS stations
  • initial conditioning of high pressure cylinders
  • calibration of reference gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, CO) relative to the established WMO scales (maintained by the Central Calibration Laboratory at NOAA-ESRL)
  • provision of standard gases as temporary replacement sets for stations and for round robin intercomparisons

Quality control

  • maintenance of comprehensive internal quality assurance procedures
  • active maintenance of the link to WMO scales by regular re-calibration of ICOS lab standards by the WMO Central Calibration Laboratory
  • organisation of an ongoing international comparison program

Quality Control Report