The FKL sampling station (http://finokalia.chemistry.uoc.gr/ ) is situated on the north coast of Crete, Greece. The station is located at the top of a hilly elevation (250 m a.s.l.) facing the sea within a sector 270o to 90o. No significant human activities occur at a distance shorter than 15km within the above mentioned sector. The area is characterized by the existence of two well-distinguished seasons equally distributed throughout the year: The dry season (from April to September) and the wet season (from October to April). It is located in a unique environment: FKL is in the southernmost region of Europe, with high insolation which favours photochemical activity and fast processing of aerosols.
Observations at FKL are related to ACTRIS RI and especially to in situ aerosol characterization. In addition, measurements of gaseous precursors such as O3, NOx, VOCs are also performed. Finally, FKL is member of EMEP, AERONET network and ICOS and e-LTER RIs.
The site can be used for research projects, measurement campaigns and training purposes, as well as for comparison and testing of in-situ equipment.
Long-term observations of physical and chemical properties of aerosols combine online and offline measurements.
Campaigns organized by the ECPL group (https://ecpl.chemistry.uoc.gr/) for research and training (e.g. https://edu4clima.gr; https:///climademy.eu) as well as for equipment testing on in-situ techniques.
Aerosol and trace gases equipment of FKL can be used as reference for instrument testing, as for instance for air quality sensors (low and medium cost) distributed by the PANACEA–RI (https://air-quality.gr/).
Physical access includes use of the facilities, as well as help in the preparatory work and training (if needed), technical and scientific support during the execution (physical or remote after set-up), as well as access to the FKL observational data for science purposes on the basis of collaboration.
The services include:
Support for accessing facilities (physical).
Provision of workspace for visitors: desk space and internet access (physical).
Advice for shipping of materials, transportation, reception and storage of equipment.
Advice for managing accommodation.
Technical support at the facility to fulfill visitor needs and constraints related to installation, deployment and operation of equipment: set-up support, power connections, internet access, storage, security constraints (physical).
Technical support to remotely operate and audit the external instrumentation (remote after installation).
Training/hands-on for young scientists/research/ technical personnel on in-situ instrumentation (physical)
Educational activities (e.g. experiments for schools)
Scientific support for supervision and analysis of collected data (physical, remote).
Unlimited observations and measurements as long as they do not interfere with other projects or instruments availability.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. aerosol chemical composition on filters).
