Site selective real-time measurements of atmospheric N<sub>2</sub>O isotopomers by laser spectroscopy
We describe the first high precision real-time analysis of the N<sub>2</sub>O site-specific isotopic composition at ambient mixing ratios. Our technique is based on mid-infrared quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy (QCLAS) combined with an automated preconcentration unit. The QC...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2012-07-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
| Online Access: | http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/5/1601/2012/amt-5-1601-2012.pdf |
| _version_ | 1819264418785001472 |
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| author | W. A. Brand S. Toyoda N. Yoshida A. Manninen B. Tuzson J. Mohn L. Emmenegger |
| author_facet | W. A. Brand S. Toyoda N. Yoshida A. Manninen B. Tuzson J. Mohn L. Emmenegger |
| author_sort | W. A. Brand |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We describe the first high precision real-time analysis of the N<sub>2</sub>O site-specific isotopic composition at ambient mixing ratios. Our technique is based on mid-infrared quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy (QCLAS) combined with an automated preconcentration unit. The QCLAS allows for simultaneous and specific analysis of the three main stable N<sub>2</sub>O isotopic species, <sup>14</sup>N<sup>15</sup>N<sup>16</sup>O, <sup>15</sup>N<sup>14</sup>N<sup>16</sup>O, <sup>14</sup>N<sup>14</sup>N<sup>16</sup>O, and the respective site-specific relative isotope ratio differences δ<sup>15</sup>N<sup>α</sup> and δ<sup> 15</sup>N<sup>β</sup>. Continuous, stand-alone operation is achieved by using liquid nitrogen free N<sub>2</sub>O preconcentration, a quasi-room-temperature quantum cascade laser (QCL), quantitative sample transfer to the QCLAS and an optimized calibration algorithm. The N<sub>2</sub>O site-specific isotopic composition (δ<sup>15</sup>N<sup>α</sup> and δ<sup>15</sup>N<sup>β</sup>) can be analysed with a long-term precision of 0.2‰. The potential of this analytical tool is illustrated by continuous N<sub>2</sub>O isotopomer measurements above a grassland plot over a three week period, which allowed identification of microbial source and sink processes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T20:29:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-23fe414c661f4480910d9ee582ca8a9e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1867-1381 1867-8548 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T20:29:10Z |
| publishDate | 2012-07-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
| spelling | doaj.art-23fe414c661f4480910d9ee582ca8a9e2022-12-21T17:32:17ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Measurement Techniques1867-13811867-85482012-07-01571601160910.5194/amt-5-1601-2012Site selective real-time measurements of atmospheric N<sub>2</sub>O isotopomers by laser spectroscopyW. A. BrandS. ToyodaN. YoshidaA. ManninenB. TuzsonJ. MohnL. EmmeneggerWe describe the first high precision real-time analysis of the N<sub>2</sub>O site-specific isotopic composition at ambient mixing ratios. Our technique is based on mid-infrared quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy (QCLAS) combined with an automated preconcentration unit. The QCLAS allows for simultaneous and specific analysis of the three main stable N<sub>2</sub>O isotopic species, <sup>14</sup>N<sup>15</sup>N<sup>16</sup>O, <sup>15</sup>N<sup>14</sup>N<sup>16</sup>O, <sup>14</sup>N<sup>14</sup>N<sup>16</sup>O, and the respective site-specific relative isotope ratio differences δ<sup>15</sup>N<sup>α</sup> and δ<sup> 15</sup>N<sup>β</sup>. Continuous, stand-alone operation is achieved by using liquid nitrogen free N<sub>2</sub>O preconcentration, a quasi-room-temperature quantum cascade laser (QCL), quantitative sample transfer to the QCLAS and an optimized calibration algorithm. The N<sub>2</sub>O site-specific isotopic composition (δ<sup>15</sup>N<sup>α</sup> and δ<sup>15</sup>N<sup>β</sup>) can be analysed with a long-term precision of 0.2‰. The potential of this analytical tool is illustrated by continuous N<sub>2</sub>O isotopomer measurements above a grassland plot over a three week period, which allowed identification of microbial source and sink processes.http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/5/1601/2012/amt-5-1601-2012.pdf |
| spellingShingle | W. A. Brand S. Toyoda N. Yoshida A. Manninen B. Tuzson J. Mohn L. Emmenegger Site selective real-time measurements of atmospheric N<sub>2</sub>O isotopomers by laser spectroscopy Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
| title | Site selective real-time measurements of atmospheric N<sub>2</sub>O isotopomers by laser spectroscopy |
| title_full | Site selective real-time measurements of atmospheric N<sub>2</sub>O isotopomers by laser spectroscopy |
| title_fullStr | Site selective real-time measurements of atmospheric N<sub>2</sub>O isotopomers by laser spectroscopy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Site selective real-time measurements of atmospheric N<sub>2</sub>O isotopomers by laser spectroscopy |
| title_short | Site selective real-time measurements of atmospheric N<sub>2</sub>O isotopomers by laser spectroscopy |
| title_sort | site selective real time measurements of atmospheric n sub 2 sub o isotopomers by laser spectroscopy |
| url | http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/5/1601/2012/amt-5-1601-2012.pdf |
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