ICOS-Like Tower Operational at the RADO-Bucharest NF within the IM4CA Project

Deployed under the Horizon-Europe IM4CA project as a collaborative effort between INOE, Empa and INCAS, a 30-meter ICOS-like ecosystem tower was installed at the Măgurele Center for Atmosphere and Radiation Studies (MARS), RADO-Bucharest National Facility. This setup utilizes eddy covariance and 3D wind measurements alongside ethane, CO2, and the region's first continuous stable isotopic methane data to monitor carbon and energy exchange. Following its installation, the tower supported a comprehensive ground-based field campaign, which utilized a synchronized network of four FTIR spectrometers for fixed and mobile downwind transects, specifically targeting the Vidra landfill (near Bucharest), while providing co-located validation for aircraft and satellite observations.

The tower will remain fully operational for the upcoming months to provide continuous monitoring. This cumulative dataset will be combined with inverse modeling to separate emissions from different sources, such as fossil fuels, urban activities, and landfills. This integrated approach aims to deliver robust, source-specific emission estimates to improve methane source attribution and support targeted greenhouse gas reduction policies.