Field Notes

Bouldin Alfalfa: 2019-08-19 09:20:00 (DOY 231)
Author: Daphne Szutu
Others: Camilo, Ariane

Summary: Regular data collection/cleaning, checked on CH4 experiment and removed near/daytime release point

2019-08-19
Bouldin Alfalfa

Camilo, Ariane, and I arrived at 9:20 PDT. It was a mild day with a cool breeze, hazy horizons, and low clouds. The farmworkers were raking the two fields to our east. They eventually moved one raker to our field, but left to do something else after we stayed huddled by the farther (nighttime) release point.

We checked on the CH4 experiment. The CH4 tank at the closer (daytime) release point was empty, so we dismantled the station. I didnâ€™t bring straps, so we left the tank and the ABS pipe under the tower. CR10X sn 27930 and solar controller sn 12501588 were brought in. The CH4 tank at the farther (nighttime) release point was still full (2000 psi), but it seems like the flow regulator closest to the motorized ball valve was not working. We swapped out the flow regulator and adjusted the flow so the main regulator was 3 CFM, and the outlet regulators were <1 LPM (the ball had an occasional bounce).We used the gasctrlAM CR10x program to test flow, and uploaded the gasctrlPM program at 10:50 PST to revert back to the nighttime release. Back in the lab, we figured that the logic of the PM program was wrong.

I collected met, camera, FD, and USB GHG data. Ariane cleaned flux and rad sensors. We skipped spectral and veg height measurements since the alfalfa was still barely ankle height. I cleaned the temporary 7700 and wiped off the outside of the phenocam window.

Permanent tower 7500 readings:
CO2 420ppm
H2O 690ppm
T 19.9C
P 101.4kPa
SS 98 --> 101 after cleaning
Permanent tower 7700 readings:
CH4 1.94ppm
RSSI 40 --> 80 after cleaning

Second tower LI-7500 readings:
CO2 404ppm
H2O 685ppm
T 25.6C
P 101.4kPa
SS 98
Second tower LI-7700 readings:
CH4 1.95ppm
RSSI 21 --> 74 after cleaning

We left at 10:55 PDT.

Next Mowing: 2019-09-21

1 photos found

20190819BA_HayWheelRake.jpg ( 2019-08-19 10:55:19 ) Full size: 1920x1080
Hay rake parked at Bouldin Alfalfa and ready to flip/turn the mown hay into a more narrow windrow.