Characterization of the Miro MGA-10 GP Gas Analyzer

The MIRO MGA-10 GP Gas Analyzer is a laser-based gas analyzer that is capable of measuring ten different atmospheric trace gases (CO2, CO, CH4, NH3, O3, NO, NO2, SO2, OCS, H2O). Characterization of this instrument is being conducted through laboratory and field tests, comparisons with other instruments, and multi-point calibrations. This process allows for the characterization of the instrument in a variety of different environments, including how its accuracy and precision are compared to other instruments, and how well it performs when measuring known concentrations of gases across its detection range.

The motivation for the characterization of the MIRO MGA-10 GP is derived from its potential to reduce the number of instruments needed onboard both airborne and ground-based campaigns, due to its ability to measure a wide variety of trace gases. This would lead to a reduction in payload, power consumption, and space required onboard a vehicle or aircraft. Since this instrument has not been thoroughly characterized, especially on airborne platforms, it is deemed important by the authors to fully understand its performance and measurement characteristics before it is recommended for use by the University of Wyoming’s King Air facility, which can be accessed by outside groups through NSF funding.

The MIRO MGA-10 GP was tested in the lab alongside a Picarro model G2401-m, which measures carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. Ambient lab air was sampled by both instruments for long durations on two separate occasions. It was shown by the data from the lab tests that the precision values quoted by the manufacturer for these four gas species were matched or exceeded by the MIRO MGA-10 GP, and precision values comparable to the Picarro were also observed. The correlation between both instruments was found to be very high, with R-squared values above 0.9 for each of the four gas species. Although this data is promising, it only encompasses four of the ten species that the MIRO MGA-10 GP is capable of measuring.

Another MIRO MGA-10 GP unit was tested as part of the Salt Lake City Summer Ozone Study (SLCSOS) campaign in Salt Lake City, which investigated concentrations of harmful trace gases in the Salt Lake City metro and surrounding areas. The characterization of the instrument in a mobile ground-based platform was enabled by this campaign, and comparisons with other instruments concurrently measuring the same species (NO, NO2, O3, CH4, CO2, CO, H2O) were also provided. Results from the intercomparison of all instruments will be presented, and future plans for flight testing will be discussed.