Similar studies of Urban Metabolism & CO2

Hey guys, I've found some universities doing research that is very similar to what we want to do (...but on a much larger scale) by using the Picarro to "explore all aspects of carbon exchange, from measuring breath and photosynthesis to measuring emissions and energy consumption" (Boston University -
http://www.bu.edu/today/2009/12/07/sizing-carbon-emissions).

1) Boston University - 30 month study
The researchers at BU have done what we were discussing albeit on a much larger scale and with A LOT MORE funding. For now, they've installed some antennae/tower on the top of a building that measure wind direction, temperature, humidity, light, and carbon levels. There are also webcams to give some insight into traffic patterns and flow. This part of their study seems very similar to what we were thinking of doing.

There is also a second instrument at a forested site in Petersham, Mass. that will be recording CO2 levels simultaneously with the urban site, enabling them to directly compare the 2 sets of CO2 readings for the 30-month study. Unfortunately, we have 28 months less and only 1 instrument!

2) Northwestern University
Urban metabolism of Chicago - No specific information
I've emailed the research group to see if they would be willing to discuss their project (nothing published yet).

These studies are of much larger scope than ours will be (given the differences in the resources available as well as the duration of the study) but they might be able to give us some insight into what we should expect + experimental design ideas.

It might also be useful to email Boston U and NWestern U  to see if they would be willing to discuss preliminary results when we have them :)

Nadine S.