Master of Science

thesisGreenhouse gases (GHGs) within the atmosphere are increasing as a result of human activities, per the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and this being a factor in rising temperatures associated with global warming. The general objective of this thesis is detection of CO2 and CH4 by design, deployment and initial calibration of an eddy covariance flux tower (ECFT). While flux measurements are possible, the highly variable atmospheric conditions and the urbanized environment modified the effort of the project from a flux analysis of the data to a concentration analysis. This project began with the design of an ECFT that included a tower structure, 3D sonic anemometer and cavity ring-down spectrometer, constructed and then deployed in three separate locations for surveys conducted on campus, where each location was focused for detection upon the concomitant designated point source (sewer access point). Three specific objectives of the study with the tower data were 1) determination of the tower abilities to detect CO2 and CH4 above ambient levels, 2) assessment of correlation of the highest (99th percentile) concentrations detected with associated wind directions and establishment of a constant source of emissions, and 3) conclusion of clear detection of the designated point source by the tower. Collection of data began in September 2013 and was completed in March 2014. Because of the small emissions of the designated source, a controlled release of CO2 was executed for tower footprint and threshold investigation