Reliable soil greenhouse gas flux data depends on both accurate measurements and the conditions in which the data is collected. Datasense uses GT5000 Terra with Fluxscout chambers to measure CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O directly from agricultural trial plots. In the MultiSoil measurements in Närpiö, Finland, the setup supported comparable multi-gas data collection while keeping the results connected to real field conditions.

The challenge: collecting comparable soil gas data in field conditions

Field conditions are rarely identical. One of the realities of soil greenhouse gas research is that neighboring plots can behave differently even when they appear similar. Differences in soil moisture, crop residue, root activity, cultivation history or recent weather conditions can influence the measured gas fluxes. Because of this, selecting comparable measurement points and carefully documenting field conditions are important parts of any measurement campaign.

For Datasense, the challenge was to collect comparable multi-gas data from agricultural trial plots while preserving the field context in which the gases were released or consumed. This required a consistent chamber-based workflow and careful interpretation of the gas data alongside plot-level observations from the field.

Why measuring multiple gases simultaneously matters

In soil greenhouse gas research, understanding the relationship between different gases is often as important as measuring the gases themselves. When different gases are measured using separate instruments or sampling workflows, differences in response times, calibration procedures, sampling methods and environmental conditions can introduce additional variability. Even small changes in weather, chamber conditions or soil activity can affect the measured fluxes.

By measuring CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O simultaneously with a single analyzer, all gases are recorded under identical field conditions and from exactly the same chamber deployment, providing a more consistent dataset for interpretation.

Field measurements at Hemmanet

To put this workflow into practice, Datasense carried out chamber-based soil greenhouse gas measurements at Hemmanet, a farm involved in the European MultiSoil project.

The measurements were carried out on 4 June 2026. The trial field includes crop mixtures such as wheat-pea and wheat-oat, and some plots are used to test microbially treated seeds.

The MultiSoil project studies cultivation methods that improve soil and crop health, reduce the need for chemical crop protection, and support more sustainable food production. During the visit, farmer Kristian Bengts explained the practical implementation of the four-year project and the role of the trial site.

In the field measurements, gas data was considered together with plot-level conditions such as soil moisture, soil temperature, electrical conductivity, cultivation activities, and crop conditions.

Before the permanent monitoring points were selected, Datasense carried out 18 preliminary FTIR measurements with GT5000 Terra. The final long-term monitoring setup includes three measurement points on each of the two experimental plots.

Chamber-based soil greenhouse gas flux measurements in the field 

GT5000 Terra is part of Datasense’s chamber-based field measurement setup, where it is used with Fluxscout chambers to measure multiple greenhouse gases directly in field conditions.

The closed chamber was used to follow changes in gas concentrations over time directly in the field. GT5000 Terra measured carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide from the same setup.

Datasense Oy’s CEO Jari Hakkarainen and soil research specialist Jussi Knaapi carried out the field measurements and interpreted the observations collected during the measurement day.

Comparing treated and untreated plots

During the measurement day, Datasense looked for comparable measurement points between treated and untreated trial plots. A test harrowing was carried out in the field, and measurements were taken before and after the cultivation activity.

The setup provided a practical view of how cultivation actions can affect soil gas exchange and crop conditions. It also showed why comparable measurement points, consistent chamber placement, and field parameters matter when interpreting CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O data from agricultural field trials.

From field measurements to reliable results

In the MultiSoil measurements, Datasense interpreted the gas data alongside the field conditions in which it was collected. This connected changes in measured fluxes to the practical conditions and activities observed at the trial plots. For Datasense, the setup with Fluxscout chambers makes it possible to review gas measurements together with the field observations and plot-level conditions that help explain why fluxes vary between measurement points.

The preliminary FTIR measurements revealed significant spatial variability between potential measurement locations. This showed that characterizing the measurement locations with a high-precision FTIR analyzer was essential before selecting the points for long-term monitoring. Without this initial characterization, it would have been difficult to select sufficiently representative and comparable measurement points for the follow-up study.

The measurements demonstrate how chamber-based soil greenhouse gas flux measurements, site observations, and multi-gas FTIR analysis can work together under real agricultural field conditions. For research teams and measurement service providers, the combination of chambers and GT5000 Terra offers a practical way to collect comparable multi-gas data and interpret the results in the field context.

 

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GT5000 Terra for soil greenhouse gas fluxes GT5000 Terra FTIR analyzer can measure all gases of interest simultaneously, saving you time and money. Equipped with wireless communication, you can get your measurement results in real time. Portability makes it especially effective in field conditions. Take a look at the GT5000 Terra