ACTRIS Marketplace

Operators and scientists are trained through courses, workshops and hands-on training sessions. The training enables the operators and scientists to be introduced into the
measurement guidelines/SOPs, QA/QC criteria and control, as well as all basics in technical issues, such as installation and maintenance of the instruments.

ACTRIS variable specific analysis tools will be developed and updated to monitor the instrumentation performance at NFs and will facilitate the development of near-real time data products.

This activity disseminates the knowledge of the CAIS/ECAC to the stakeholders. The knowledge transfer includes education and training activities organized by the CAIS/ECAC and different units.

Following the development of the field (research organizations, private companies) and evaluates the new techniques, whether they could i) replace some of the existing technologies that are used to measure ACTRIS in-situ aerosol variables, ii) improve the capacity of aerosol in-situ observations, iii) be technologically developed enough for network scale operation.

The ambient cloud in situ measurement campaign is a cross-comparison of cloud in situ measurement instruments with respect to the variables liquid water content and droplet effective diameter. The campaigns focus on the measurement instruments recommended in ACTRIS, such as the PVM. The campaign is organized every two years, with a measurement phase of 3-5 days at Mt. Hohen Sonnblick. During this time the participants are trained in ACTRIS routines and the standards are further developed. A joint report finally summarizes the results. The participants receive a certificate.

Trainees are introduced to the operation of the specific instrument (PVM). Topics are: Installation, operation, maintenance, data processing, access to ACTRIS data, etc. The training is for staff of cloud in situ NFs, but also for students and young scientists. The aim is to communicate the handling of the instrument according to the ACTRIS criteria.

Development and evaluation of new methodologies in the field of organic tracers and carbonaceous species in the aerosol. Service open to external users (including private enterprises).

Consultancy and knowledge transfer via higher education institutions, website and discussion forum.

Workshop for intercomparison and testing of INP instruments.

Calibration of INP instruments

The training enables the operators and scientists to be introduced into the measurement guidelines/SOPs, QA/QC criteria and control, and troubleshooting. Participants are trained in sample preparation, sample analysis and quantification with different instruments. Participants can bring either their own samples.

Transfer of the necessary expertise to operators of an ACTRIS labeled NF and external users (businesses, researchers, monitoring agencies, etc.) to improve their competencies for conducting measurements, data acquisition, data evaluation, and QA/QC measures while covering up to date guidelines and SOPs for anthropogenic NMHCS, biogenic NMHCs, OVOCs, condensables, and NOx. The consultancy shall be provided to stakeholders, users and private companies upon request.

The performance of methods and instruments for measuring organic tracers and carbonaceous constituents in aerosols is evaluated against European standards.

CiGas develops measurement Guidelines (MGs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for biogenic NMHCs, OVOCs and condensable vapours and updates the existing ones for anthropogenic NMHCs and NOx), based on proven procedures and methodologies in close cooperation with international bodies (e.g. Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW), National Metrological Institutes (NMIs), AQUILA, EMEP, CEN, ISO), NFs, and users.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control. Check of compliance with ACTRIS recommendations (instrument type, participation in calibration workshops, operation according to SOPs, operator qualification,  scope of applicability). Check of instrument diagnostic variables. Check of measurement data plausibility.