A quantum cascade laser absorption spectrometer devoted to the in situ measurement of atmospheric N2O and CH4 emission fluxes

This paper describes a Quantum Cascade Laser Absorption Spectrometer, called “QCLAS” that was developed to monitor in situ greenhouse gases like N2O and CH4, at high temporal resolution and with a high accuracy. The design of the laser sensor is reported as well as its performances in terms of precision error and field deployment capabilities. Finally, to demonstrate the efficiency and the robustness of QCLAS and its suitability for gas emission monitoring and for the determination of fluxes, we report the results from a field campaign, that took place in the Wallis and Futuna Islands in 2011, to investigate the impact of environmental intensive pig farming.