The mean and turbulent micrometerological parameters in the surface layer were measured for duration of the NIMEX-1 project. Two meteorological masts, have been set up for profile measurements of the wind, temperature, atmospheric radiation, and the soil (sub-surface) parameters while a third was devoted for eddy covariance measurements of the turbulent fluxes.

Measurement complex, M1 (2m height): The meteorological parameters measured consisted of mean wind speed and direction, and pyschrometric air temperature (wet and dry bulb). Other parameters were the net and global radiation at the same height. Also to be installed are rainguage, barometer, and soil temperature probes at three depths (10cm, 50cm, and 1m). In addition a TDR sensor was used to monitor the volumetric water content in the top soil layer (i.e., surface – 10cm). This platform was also integrated to hang the CNR-1 (Kipp & Zonen) radiation sensor measuring independently all the radiation components (upwards and downwards) for both the shortwave and longwave. In addition an infrared thermometer is connected to record the surface temperature from the same support. All these sensors were connected to a Campbell Scientific datalogger (model CR10X) and the data stored as 1 min. averages.

Measurement complex, M2 (15-m height): This meteorological tower was very crucial to the execution of the NIMEX-1 project. The short tower was centrally located within the measurement domain and deployed to obtain mean profile of the near-surface layer characteristics. The wind speed was measured at 8 levels: 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0, 10.0 and 15.0m, while the psychrometric air temperature (wet and dry bulb) at 3 levels: 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0m. At the topmost height which was 15m, a wind vane was positioned to record the wind direction. Close to the mast, soil temperature at three depths: 5cm, 10cm, and 30cm, together with the soil heat flux (of the same depths) was also measured. Other parameters such as the soil water content (in the top layer, surface – 10cm) and air pressure were added to this measurement complex. Additional radiation sensors such as net radiometer (NR-LITE by Kipp & Zonen) and a pyranometer (SP-LITE by Kipp & Zonen) were placed on the mast. A Campbell Scientific datalogger (model CR10X) will be used for the data acquisition.

Measurement complex, M3 (2.48m height): An eddy covariance system consisting of an ultrasonic anemometer together with a Krypton hygrometer placed on a 2m mast were integrated to measure the turbulent fluxes. The combined arrangement will produce the turbulent wind, acoustic temperature and humidity components. The sonic turbulence parameters were sampled at a frequency of 16Hz. The data acquisition system used was on a laptop computer running the LABVIEW© program and along with the PC208W© software supplied by Campbell Scientific.