Long-Term Systems

A long-term system from LI-COR lets you accomplish more with your multiplexed soil gas flux measurements. Connect up to 36 chambers to evaluate both spatial and temporal flux variation across a footprint of up to 2800 square meters.

All components are weatherized and built for field research. Long-term systems may be deployed and left unattended for extensive periods to make repeated, automated measurements based on your configuration.

With a fully integrated system of LI-COR analyzers, hardware, and software, you can view real-time fluxes directly on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Add a cellular modem and send daily summary files to monitor your site and know when you need to visit.

All components are weatherized and built for field research. Long-term systems may be deployed and left unattended for extensive periods to make repeated, automated measurements based on your configuration.

With a fully integrated system of LI-COR analyzers, hardware, and software, you can view real-time fluxes directly on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Add a cellular modem and send daily summary files to monitor your site and know when you need to visit.

Advantages of a long-term measurement system

A long-term soil gas flux system confers several benefits by taking continuous measurements at many locations around your site over an extended period. Long-term, continuous, and multiplexed datasets allow you to:

  • Examine how periodic events, such as rainfall, impact soil gas flux measurements.
  • Evaluate how soil gas flux is regulated by environmental variables, such as soil temperature and soil moisture.
  • Assess spatial and temporal variability over your research site.
  • Characterize diurnal and seasonal flux patterns.
illustration showing LI-COR instruments used for atmoshpheric profiling

What’s the status of the strata?

Measure the vertical profile of gases for more complete flux results.

Learn more

Research flexibility

Designed for flexibility, the LI-8250 Multiplexer lets you tailor your long-term system to the gas species and analyzer of your choice. LI-COR offers the LI-7810 CH4/CO2/H2O Trace Gas Analyzer, the LI-7820 N2O/H2O Trace Gas Analyzer, and the LI-870 CO2/H2O Analyzer—but third-party analyzers can also be used.

Use any combination of up to 36 opaque, clear, or custom built chambers, and incorporate ancillary data into your fluxes from various sensors.

Convenient control

Embedded software makes the LI-8250 Multiplexer your single access point for your long-term soil gas flux research site. In the field, connect directly to the LI-8250 via the built-in Wi-Fi server and the browser of your mobile device or laptop. Or connect the LI-8250 to an added cellular modem to reach your site remotely and only visit when necessary.

Whether connected directly or remotely, you can view and manage your flux data, diagnostics, system configuration, and distribute daily summary files. If your long-term system is connected to a LI-COR gas analyzer, check the status of your analyzer and view on-site flux data live.

Quality and reliability

The scientific community has entrusted their soil gas flux research to LI-COR products for more than 20 years. The LI-8250 was designed to withstand the rigors of field research with weather, splash, and dust resistant components that allow it to be left in the field for entire seasons. A complete system made up of LI-COR products ensures seamless integration for an ideal soil gas flux research experience.

See more about what makes the LI-8250 Multiplexer different

Visit the LI-8250 Page

Chambers

Chambers can make all the difference in obtaining reliable data. LI-COR long-term chambers are intended for extended field deployment, accept a wide range of SDI-12 sensors, and are uniquely designed to minimize any artificial impact the chamber has on soil environment conditions.

See more of what makes LI-COR long-term chambers different

8200-104 long-term chamber
LI-COR 820-104 long-term chamber

8200-104 Opaque Long-Term Chamber

The 8200-104 Opaque Chamber uses a reflective white enamel chamber that rotates to and from the soil collar for automated measurements. This chamber is designed to be left in the field for long periods of time and can connect SDI-12 sensors for additional measurements at the chamber.

Read more about the 8200-104 Opaque Long-Term Chamber

LI-COR 820-104C clear long-term chamber

8200-104C Clear Long-Term Chamber

Specifically designed for net carbon exchange (NCE) research, the 8200-104C Clear Chamber allows plants within the collar to receive sunlight and continue photosynthesis. This chamber can be left in the field for extended periods and connects with SDI-12 sensors.

Read more about the 8200-104C Clear Long-Term Chamber

Custom chamber integration

If you are mechanically inclined and have a chamber specifically designed for your application, the LI-8250 Multiplexer will still allow you to use that chamber and integrate it into a LI-COR soil gas flux system.

Gas Analyzers

Choose your gas analyzer based on your gases of interest without worrying about compatibility issues. The LI-8250 Multiplexer integrates LI-COR gas analyzers and accepts third-party analyzers. When using a LI-COR gas analyzer, live fluxes can be viewed on a mobile device or laptop, and flux data is stored in a single, comprehensive file. Additionally, LI-COR soil gas flux systems easily combine data from multiple analyzers to provide on-site fluxes and can communicate data files remotely.

LI-870 CO2 Analyzer and LI-7810 CH4/CO2/H2O Trace Gas Analyzer
 

For incubation experiments, respirometry, and measurement of gas exchange from samples in flasks, the LI-8250 Multiplexer and LI-COR Trace Gas Analyzers offer a novel solution.

Learn more
LI-7810 trace gas analyzer and soil gas flux system

LI-7810 CH4/CO2/H2O Trace Gas Analyzer

The LI-7810 CH4/CO2/H2O Trace Gas Analyzer provides precise and stable methane measurements in a rugged and affordable water-resistant case. The LI-7810 combines patented technologies with Optical Feedback-Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (OF-CEAS) in one durable instrument for long-term field deployment.

  • Provides real-time flux data when connected to the LI-8250 Multiplexer
  • Needs minimal field infrastructure for long-term, unattended measurements
  • Requires low power (22 W)
  • CH4 Precision (1σ): 0.60 ppb at 2 ppm with 1 second averaging

Read more about the LI-7810

LI-7820 trace gas analyzer and soil gas flux system

NEW LI-7820 N2O/H2O Trace Gas Analyzer

The LI-7820 N2O/H2O Trace Gas Analyzer is a low power, laser-based analyzer for long-term measurements. With the same ease of use as other LI-COR trace gas analyzers, this highly precise N2O analyzer pairs easily with the LI-870 for added CO2 measurements or the LI-7810 for added CO2 and CH4 measurements.

  • Works with the LI-8250 Multiplexer for on-site fluxes and SoilFluxPro Software for simple post-processing
  • Requires low power and minimal field infrastructure for long-term deployments
  • N2O Precision (1σ): 0.40 ppb at 330 ppb with 1 second averaging

Read more about the LI-7820

LI-870 and soil gas flux system

LI-870 CO2/H2O Analyzer

Rapid and precise soil CO2 flux measurements. Designed for durability, a weatherproof case with weather, dust, and splash resistant components make the LI-870 suitable for long-term deployment in harsh conditions.

  • Durable, weather resistant design features a user-serviceable optical bench
  • Provides real-time CO2 flux data when connected to the LI-8250 Multiplexer
  • Low power requirements and powered directly by the LI-8250
  • Accuracy: Within 1.5% of reading
  • Measurement range: 0 to 20,000 ppm

If you are looking for a laser-based solution for soil CO2 flux survey measurements, the LI-7815 CO2/H2O Trace Gas Analyzer is available. Ask us which solution is a good fit for your research.

Read more about the LI-870

Flexible options

Research based on your gas of interest. The LI-8250 Multiplexer integrates third-party analyzers to support fluxes of isotopologues and other gases. Third-party analyzer data is collected concurrently with chamber data and the two sets can be later merged with SoilFluxPro Software to calculate fluxes.

SoilFluxPro icon

SoilFluxPro Software

SoilFluxPro is a powerful, free software provided with all LI-COR long-term systems for management, analysis, and visualization of soil gas flux data.

Visit the SoilFluxPro Page

Interested in a long-term system from LI-COR?

Get a Quote Design Your Own System

Soil Gas Flux Products

Continue Reading