How to Handle a Flux System

Choose the system design to meet your research needs. All systems are equipped with a housing system for weatherproofing, gas analysis, chamber control and data storage. Find which type of soil chamber you need for the research. There are single-chamber survey systems for quick measurements, single chambers for long-term systems that require carbon dioxide measurements over a period of weeks or longer and long-term systems that contain multiple chambers for long periods of time.

Place the system at your sampling location. If you are using a system with multiple chambers, set up the chambers at different stations in which you want to obtain measurements. The system has no tubing or circuits to connect. Everything is integrated through a control console with a LCD screen. Turn the console to the "On" position and review the menu for the types of measurements the system offers. There should be a options for different types of variables such as gas exchange, soil flux, PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) and temperature.

Review the measurements using the master control unit. You can review one station and all parameters at one time, one parameter at all stations or one station and one parameter at a time. Look at your control unit and select your options. The data can also be stored on a flash drive. There should be one or two flash-drive ports to install your flash drive. Take measurements as needed.