Articles | Volume 12, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-12-79-2015
https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-12-79-2015
06 May 2015
 | 06 May 2015

Atmospheric station Křešín u Pacova, Czech Republic – a Central European research infrastructure for studying greenhouse gases, aerosols and air quality

A. Dvorská, P. Sedlák, J. Schwarz, M. Fusek, V. Hanuš, P. Vodička, and J. Trusina

Abstract. Long-lasting research infrastructures covering the research areas of atmospheric chemistry, meteorology and climatology are of highest importance. The Atmospheric Station (AS) Křešín u Pacova, central Czech Republic, is focused on monitoring of the occurence and long-range transport of greenhouse gases, atmospheric aerosols, selected gaseous atmospheric pollutants and basic meteorological characteristics. The AS and its 250 m tall tower was built according to the recommendations of the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) and cooperates with numerous national and international projects and monitoring programmes. First measurements conducted at ground started in 2012, vertical profile measurements were added in 2013. A seasonal variability with slightly higher autumn and winter concentrations of elemental and organic carbon was revealed. The suitability of the doubly left-censored Weibull distribution for modelling and interpretation of elemental carbon concentrations, which are often lower than instrumental quantification limits, was verified. Initial data analysis also suggests that in summer, the tower top at 250 m is frequently above the nocturnal surface inversions, thus being decoupled from local influences.

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Short summary
First measurements at the Atmospheric Station Křešín u Pacova revealed a seasonal variability of elemental and organic carbon with slightly higher autumn and winter concentrations. A suitable statistical method for the replacement of very low elemental carbon concentrations (i.e. under the instrument quantification limit) was found. In summer, the top of the 250 m tall station tower is frequently above the nocturnal surface inversions, thus being decoupled from local influences.