Optimal sensor locations for the backward lagrangian stochastic technique in measuring lagoon gas emission.

This study evaluated the impact of gas concentration and wind sensor locations on the accuracy of measuring gas emission rates from a lagoon environment using the backward Lagrangian stochastic (bLS) inverse-dispersion technique. Path-integrated concentrations (PICs) and three-dimensional (3D) wind vector data were collected at different locations within the lagoon landscape. A floating 45 m × 45 m perforated pipe network on an irrigation pond was used as a synthetic distributed emission source for the controlled release of methane. A total of 961 15-min datasets were collected under different atmospheric stability conditions over a 2-yr period. The PIC location had a significant impact on the accuracy of the bLS technique. The location of the 3D sonic anemometer was generally not a factor for the measured accuracies with the PIC positioned on the downwind berm. The PICs across the middle of the pond consistently produced the lowest accuracy with any of the 3D anemometer locations (<69% accuracy). The PICs located on the downwind berm consistently yielded the best bLS accuracy regardless of whether the 3D sonic anemometer was located on the upwind, side, or downwind berm (accuracies ranged from 79 to 108%). The accuracies of the emission measurements with the berm PIC-berm 3D setting were statistically similar to that found in a more ideal homogeneous grass field. Considering the practical difficulties of setting up equipment and the accuracies associated with various sensor locations, we recommend that wind and concentration sensors be located on the downwind berm.