Trace analysis in gas phase

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The ultra-sensitive spectroscopic methods developed by the team allow to perform, in real time (1s) and in-situ, the analysis of several chemical species present in a gas mixture in very low concentration. The detection of these trace gases has important applications for the scientific community, as well as for the civil and industrial society. The targeted molecules are among others those responsible for the greenhouse effect, some atmospheric pollutants, or some products of human metabolism found in exhaled air. Here are some examples of measurement campaigns to which our team has contributed.

Applications to atmospheric chemistry

  • Airborne measurements in the troposphere of greenhouse gases and for air quality monitoring by OF-CEAS: CH4 on board a NASA DC8 (collaboration with H.-J. Jost from the BAER Institute in the USA and M. Ramonet from the LSCE in Saclay); CO on board a pleasure plane (collaboration with I. Xueref-Rémy at the LSCE in Saclay).
  • Balloon-borne stratospheric measurements (up to 20 km altitude): CH4 and CO measurements by OF-CEAS in the skies of Sweden and Canada. Collaboration with V. Catoire at LPC2E (Orléans).
  • Measurements in Antarctica for the study of the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere: IO, BrO, NO2 and CH2CO by ML-CEAS, collaboration with M. Legrand and S. Preunkert from IGE (Grenoble).

Applications to geosciences

  • Volcanic emission measurements to detect changes in the magma chamber of a volcano and predict its eruptions: CH4, CO and NH3 by OF-CEAS. Collaboration with L. Gianfrani of the University of Naples 2 (Italy).
  • Analysis of air bubbles trapped in ice cores for past climate reconstruction: CH4 and CO by OF-CEAS. Collaboration with J. Chapellaz and X. Faïn from IGE (Grenoble).

Medical applications

  • Analysis of exhaled air from patients with respiratory disorders: CH4 and CO measurements by OF-CEAS solving the respiratory cycles. Collaboration with Ch. Clerici of the Hopital Bichat Claude Bernard, Paris.
  • Evaluation of the quality of lung grafts ex-vivo: measurements by OF-CEAS of NO (on porcine model) and CO (porcine model as well as on organs subsequently grafted on patients). Collaboration with R. Briot from TIMC-IMAG/CHU of Grenoble and E. Sage from Foch Hospital in Suresnes.

Industrial applications

  • Industrial site monitoring: HF measurements by OF-CEAS, CEA collaboration.

The actors

Hélène FLEURBAEY
Samir KASSI
Erik KERSTEL
Guillaume MÉJEAN
Daniele ROMANINI
Irène VENTRILLARD

Support technician

Jean-Luc MARTIN

Submitted on February 14, 2024

Updated on March 1, 2024