Facilities

ENVIRONMENTAL SENSORS

Numerous sensors are available to characterize the environmental variables of the experiments:

Climate and weather measurements

✱ Air temperature and relative humidity

✱ Absolute and differential pressure

✱ Wind speed

✱ Light radiation (PAR, Spectrum, Flickering, Mapping)

Soil parameter measurements

✱ Soil temperature and moisture

✱ Soil water potential

✱ Water balance: continuous measurement of lysimeter mass

✱ Measurement of gas concentration (CO₂, N₂O) at different depths…

LABORATORY AND PACKAGING AREAS

The Ecotron provides research teams with laboratories equipped to prepare experiments, perform simple analyses, and condition fresh samples. These spaces contain:

✱ Laboratory benches

✱ Range hood

✱ Small laboratory equipment (pipettes, glassware, etc.)

✱ Ovens

✱ Scales

✱ Freezers -80°C and -20°C

✱ Freeze dryer

✱ Cold room (5°C – 10m²)

✱ Liquid Nitrogen

PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF DECARBONIZED AIR

(CO₂ concentration < 1ppm – dew point of -60°C – flow rate of 980m3/h)

The Ecotron is equipped with a production and distribution line for decarbonated air that supplies the Mesocosms and Microcosms trays. This fluid makes it possible to recreate pre-industrial atmospheres (CO₂ concentration <200ppm) or, conversely, atmospheres that are very rich in CO₂. The isotopic signature of the industrial CO₂(¹³C) injected to obtain the desired concentration level is very different from that of the atmosphere. This process allows for continuous isotopic labeling of experiments.

PRODUCTION ET DISTRIBUTION OF OSMOSIS WATER

The Ecotron is equipped with an osmosis water production system that supplies the three experimental platforms (Macrocosms, Mesocosms, and Microcosms) as well as the laboratories.

The production process consists of three stages

✱ The first step is to remove the calcium from the water in the system (TH> 35°f). This process involves a filtration device and two softeners with their cation exchange resin columns.

✱ The second method involves obtaining water that is virtually free of solutes using the principle of reverse osmosis. The permeate obtained in this way is “pure water” with a conductivity of less than 5µS.

✱ Finally, the third step involves disinfecting and storing the “pure water” produced. In a 3,000-liter stainless steel tank, an ozone layer (30-60 ppb) is maintained, ensuring a contaminant-free atmosphere for the water.

At the start of the distribution network for the experimental cells, a UV lamp (240 nm) destroys the ozone molecules in the water.