Field Notes

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Other sites visited today: Mayberry | Bouldin Corn
Phenocam link: Searching...

Bouldin Alfalfa: 2022-07-14 11:20:00 (DOY 195)
Author: Daphne Szutu
Others: Carlos, Kanishka

Summary: Regular data collection/cleaning, manual IRT measurements, alfalfa has been mowed and bales removed, trimmed alfalfa, FD chamber performance check, Edge tower slightly tilted--releveled

2022-07-14
Bouldin Alfalfa

Carlos, Kanishka, and I arrived at 11:20 PDT to the main tower. This was Kanishka's first visit to the Delta sites. It was warm with hazy horizons and an intermittent breeze. Since our last visit, the alfalfa has been mowed, baled, and the bales have been picked up. A tractor was picking up the bales from the field to our west.

Carlos and Kanishka took manual IRT measurements to coincide with the Landsat overpass at ~11:40 PDT.

Main Tower

I downloaded met, cam, and USB GHG data. I downloaded the IRT data by swapping the microSD card and using CardConvert to convert the fast data to TOB1 and the slow data to TOA5.

I downloaded the FD data, cleared its memory, and did a routine performance check. The average flux was 0.1 (SD 0.11) and the offset was only 10ppm so I didn’t make any changes. I evicted a large brown spider and its web from inside the chamber before reinstalling it in the same location.

I changed the eddy clock +1:45min from 10:41:00 to 10:42:15 to match the laptop time. I restarted logging afterwards. I changed the phenocam clock from 10:51 to 10:54 to match the laptop time.

I swapped the camera card and converted the10sec T/RH data to a TOB1 file. It looked fine.

I swapped the Adex CR1K and converted the data to TOB1. All the files were the same size and a random check of a few files showed complete data. I’m not sure why we were missing about 24hours of data during the last download. I connected to the datalogger to download and check the 30min data—looked fine. I also checked through LoggerNet that the new card mounted correctly.

Carlos and Kanishka returned to clean flux and rad sensors. The lower sonic had a decent amount of bird poop on its traducers that Carlos cleaned off. The phenocam also captured multiple pictures of birds sitting on this sonic. We should add bird spikes to it next time (need a ladder!)

We trimmed the alfalfa under the main tower and PL Arables.

I planned to take soil samples today but forgot to pack the metal cylinders.

The 7500 read: 393ppm CO2, 796mmol/m3 H2O, 29.1C, 101.3kPa, 96SS – 99 after cleaning

Bouncer Tower

We arrived to the bouncer tower around 13:20 PDT. We trimmed the alfalfa under the tower and solar panels and accidentally cut SHF plate Hukseflux sn 003072. I brought it back to the lab to repair. Next time we can bring more conduit to protect more of the exposed sensor cables.

I downloaded CR6 (30min, 10s, 20Hz), CR23X (30min), and USB GHG (20Hz) data. For the CR6 10s and 20Hz data, I swapped the microSD card and used CardConvert to convert to TOB1. I checked the 30min data from the CR6 and CR23X and they seemed reasonable.

We forgot the ladder so couldn’t clean the 7500. The SS is 96, not terrible.

I changed the eddy clock +1:05min from 12:31:15 to 12:32:20. I restarted logging afterwards.

The 7500 read: 408ppm CO2, 620mmol/m3 H2O, 30.7C, 101kPa, 96SS – 100 after cleaning

Edge Tower

We arrived to the edge tower around 13:45 PDT. We trimmed the alfalfa under the tower and solar panel. No sensor casualties here. The tower looks slightly tilted toward the N. Lengthening one tripod leg worked to level the main post, but next time with the ladder, we will double check the level of the flux mount/sensors.

I downloaded CR6 (30min, 10s, 20Hz), CR23X (30min), and USB GHG (20Hz) data. For the CR6 10s and 20Hz data, I swapped the microSD card and used CardConvert to convert to TOB1. I checked the 30min data from the CR6 and CR23X and they seemed reasonable.

I changed the eddy clock +1:0min from 12:52:40 to 12:53:40. I restarted logging afterwards.

Carlos measured veg height and I took spectral measurements.

The 7500 read: 397ppm CO2, 857mmol/m3 H2O, 32.3C, 101.2kPa, 100SS (no need to clean here)

We washed the bottom half of the solar panels but they need a more thorough cleaning next time with the ladder.

We left at 14:20 PDT.

Next Mowing: 2022-08-05

Veg Height (cm): Tape measure from ground to top of plant - Mowed about 10 days ago
17, 20, 27, 24.5, 19, 23, 25, 28, 20, 29, 11, 18, 27, 20, 16, avg = 21.6, stdev = 5.13

1 photos found

bouldinalfalfa_2022_07_14_114505.jpg ( 2022-07-14 12:45:50 ) Full size: 1296x960
Carlos trimming alfalfa under the Planet Lab Arable