DOI: 10.5061/dryad.cnp5hqcgx
title: 2017 methane emission quantification and localization controlled release test at the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve with sUAS

description: A controlled release experiment was conducted near the entrence of the
 Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve at the University of California,
 Merced campus. A point source emission was simulated at a controlled rate
 and subsequent flights with a small unmanned aircraft system were
 conducted to localize and quantify the source. This data set encapsulates
 these flights. 
description: # 2017 methane emission quantification and localization controlled release
 test at the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve with sUAS Dataset
 DOI: [10.5061/dryad.cnp5hqcgx](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.cnp5hqcgx) ##
 Description of the data and file structure This data set describes the
 measurements taken from an open-path laser spectrometer on board a small
 unmanned aircraft system during a methane-controlled release test over a
 two-day period. The wind speed and wind direction measurements are from a
 RMYoung anemometer located near the emission release location.  The source
 location is at: 37.374429, -120.414435 There were 27 flights that took
 place over the two-day period that consisted of mass balance and general
 detection flights. The source rates varied from 0.2 to 25 SCFH. The
 descriptions of the flights are listed below: | Flt # | Date | Type
 Description | Flow Rate | Mass Balance? | | ----- | ------ |
 ----------------------------- | --------- | ------------- | | 1 | Feb 14 |
 Downwind SE of leak | 5 | Yes | | 2 | Feb 14 | Downwind SE of leak | 25 |
 Yes | | 3 | Feb 14 | Downwind SE of leak | 25 | Yes | | 4 | Feb 14 |
 Downwind SE of leak | 25 | Yes | | 5 | Feb 14 | Downwind NW of leak | 25 |
 Yes | | 6 | Feb 14 | Downwind SE of leak | 25 | Yes | | 7 | Feb 14 |
 Downwind SW of leak | 5 | Yes | | 8 | Feb 14 | Downwind W of leak | 5 |
 Yes | | 9 | Feb 14 | Downwind SW of leak | 5 | Yes | | 10 | Feb 14 |
 Downwind NW of leak | 5 | Yes | | 11 | Feb 14 | Downwind NW of leak | 1 |
 Yes | | 12 | Feb 14 | Downwind NW of leak | 1 | Yes | | 13 | Feb 14 |
 Survey near leak | 1 | No | | 14 | Feb 15 | Flt survey near leak and cows
 | 5 | No | | 15 | Feb 15 | Flt survey near leak | 5 | No | | 16 | Feb 15 |
 Downwind NW of leak | 0.2 | No | | 17 | Feb 15 | Downwind NW of leak | 0.2
 | No | | 18 | Feb 15 | Flt survey near leak | 0.2 | No | | 19 | Feb 15 |
 Downwind NW & SW of leak | 5 | Yes | | 20 | Feb 15 | Flt survey near
 leak | 5 | Yes | | 21 | Feb 15 | Flt survey near leak | 5 | No | | 22 |
 Feb 15 | Flt survey near leak | 1 | No | | 23 | Feb 15 | Flt survey near
 leak | 7 | No | | 24 | Feb 15 | Flt survey near leak | 0.4 | No | | 25 |
 Feb 15 | Flt survey near leak | 12 | No | | 26 | Feb 15 | Flt survey near
 farm house | NA | No | | 27 | Feb 15 | Flt survey near farm house | NA |
 No | ### Files and variables #### File: data_2017_02_14_R.csv
 **Description:**  ##### Variables * time: in seconds of the day * ch4:
 molar ratio in ppm * longitude: in degrees from aircraft GPS * latitude:
 in degrees from aircraft GPS * altitude: in meters from aircraft GPS *
 windspeed: in meters per second from local anemometer * winddirection: in
 degrees from local anemometer * heading: in degrees from aircraft compass
 #### File: data_2017_02_15_R.csv **Description:** Same as 2/14 case.
 Except, note that the beginning of this file belongs with 2/14 (i.e.
 negative time). This is due to the measurement system recording in GMT
 (UTC +0), and after conversion (UTC -7) to the time column.  #####
 Variables * time: in seconds of the day * ch4: molar ratio in ppm *
 longitude: in degrees from aircraft GPS * latitude: in degrees from
 aircraft GPS * altitude: in meters from aircraft GPS * windspeed: in
 meters per second from local anemometer * winddirection: in degrees from
 local anemometer * heading: in degrees from aircraft compass ##
 Code/software Any software that can visualize or read CSV files can be
 used.