BOREAS Calibration Gas Standards for Trace Gas Measurements

Several cylinders of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) were used as calibration standards to improve measurement comparability. The Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) stored these standards in field laboratories in Saskatchewan and Manitoba from May 1994 until November 1996. The dataset is provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Use Cases

• Calibrating CO2 and CH4 measurement instruments used in field studies.
• Assessing data comparability across different science teams within the BOREAS project.
• Providing a reference standard for historical atmospheric chemistry research in boreal regions.

Strengths

• Data supports a major, multi-year field campaign (BOREAS) from 1994 to 1996.
• Calibration standards target two critical greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide and methane.
• Cross-platform presence on Data.gov and NASA EarthData indicates established importance.

Limitations

• Core dataset details like row count, column names, and file size are unknown.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates exist: 2026-03-13 (Data.gov) vs. 1996-11-30 (NASA EarthData).
• The specific license terms under 'other-license-specified' are not detailed.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Cylinders of calibration gases obtained and stored in field laboratories.

Time Range

1994-05 to 1996-11

Freshness

2026-03 13 12:48:47.393503

Geography

Paddockwood, Saskatchewan (Southern Study Area) and Thompson, Manitoba (Northern Study Area)