INRAE and ProCeas^® for the N2O and CH4 measurement in agricultural science

Nicolas Angeli, Research Engineer at INRAE, talks about his experience integrating AP2E products…

Can you introduce INRAE and your activity?

Nicolas Angeli: INRAE stands for National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment. Our mission in all of the 18 centers and 14 research divisions all over France is to carry out excellent science in order to provide innovative solutions addressing global challenges, notably adaptation to climate change, sustainable biodiversity and food security. I’m working there as a research engineer in the region of Grand-Est, based in Champenoux.

What problem brought INRAE to consider ProCeas^® as the preferred analytical solution?

N A: In our research program, we investigate the impact of agroforestry on the environment, especially with regard to greenhouse gas emissions. Here, the measurement of N2O and CH4 is essential for forestry research. The problem is that the concentrations and variations of nitrous oxide and methane in the ambient air are often very small (from parts per billion to parts per million). For this reason, we needed an extremely precise measurement method.

What led you to select the ProCeas^® versus other analytical technologies?

N A: First and foremost, it was the measurement accuracy described above. The ProCeas^® relies on a special laser measurement that uses a scanning spectroscopy method to detect extremely low levels of trace gases in the shortest possible time. In addition, we were also convinced by the unique repeatability of the measurements in the per mil range as well as the problem-free outdoor use.

In which context do you use the ProCeas^®?

N A: The ProCeas^® analyzer is used to investigate the N2O and CH4 flux in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Those studies are conducted at the research facility named SilvaTech, but also directly on the field, at an agroforestry plantation.