Mobile Exploratory Platform - Aerosol In-Situ and Reactive Trace Gas In-Situ
Implemented and operated by University of Gothenburg
Ready for deployment 2026
This mobile In-Situ Exploratory platform constitutes a state-of-the-art research infrastructure capable of long-term as well as campaign-wise measurements. It is a 20-foot air-conditioned shipping container housing a set of highly advanced instruments. The core instruments are using high-resolution time-of-flight mass-spectroscopy for aerosol and gas phase characterization (ACSM-X, VIA-PTR-VOCUS and FIGAERO-CI-VOCUS). A key focus would be on biogenic organic speciation with relevance for secondary organic aerosol formation and growth covering the full oxidation spectrum from hydrocarbons to highly oxygenated multifunctional molecules (HOMs). The container is equipped with a 10 m inlet mast suitable for gas and aerosol in-situ sampling. It can be used as a standalone module but requires grid power and road access. The infrastructure provides internet access but no accommodation.
The platform will primarily be deployed to study specific ecosystems on seasonal basis (months), at ACTRIS Sweden sites, optionally at other ICOS and SITES ecosystem sites. As the unit is movable and flexible it can be deployed at other sites for shorter initiatives such as studies of events like wildfires or temporarily stressed ecosystems, e.g. by biotic or physical stress such as drought/heat, or even forest clear-cutting. It can in addition serve other atmospheric research tasks, such as observations of the marine atmosphere by deployment onboard research vessels (icebreaker Oden and R/V Skagerak). In the long-term, the explorative platform is likely to be an important Swedish contribution to various international research initiatives.
The Exploratory Platform is operated by the University of Gothenburg and managed by Station PI Mattias Hallquist and vice PI Erik Thomson, assisted by highly specialized technical engineers.