Site selective real-time measurements of atmospheric N2O isotopomers by laser 
spectroscopy

Mohn, J.; Tuzson, B.; Manninen, A.; Yoshida, N.; Toyoda, S.; Brand, Willi A.; Emmenegger, L.

doi:10.5194/amt-5-1601-2012

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Site selective real-time measurements of atmospheric N₂O isotopomers by laser spectroscopy

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Brand, Willi A.
Service Facility Stable Isotope, Dr. W. A. Brand, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Max Planck Society;

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http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/amt-5-1601-2012
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Citation

Mohn, J., Tuzson, B., Manninen, A., Yoshida, N., Toyoda, S., Brand, W. A., et al. (2012). Site selective real-time measurements of atmospheric N₂O isotopomers by laser spectroscopy. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 5(7), 1601-1609. doi:10.5194/amt-5-1601-2012.

Cite as: https://hdl.handle.net/11858/00-001M-0000-000F-EE6C-C

Abstract

We describe the first high precision real-time analysis of the N2O 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 N2O isotopic species, (NNO)-N-14-N-15-O-16, (NNO)-N-15-N-14-O-16, (NNO)-N-14-N-14-O-16, and the respective site-specific relative isotope ratio differences delta N-15(alpha) and delta N-15(beta). Continuous, stand-alone operation is achieved by using liquid nitrogen free N2O preconcentration, a quasi-room-temperature quantum cascade laser (QCL), quantitative sample transfer to the QCLAS and an optimized calibration algorithm. The N2O site-specific isotopic composition (delta N-15(alpha) and delta N-15(beta)) can be analysed with a long-term precision of 0.2 parts per thousand. The potential of this analytical tool is illustrated by continuous N2O isotopomer measurements above a grassland plot over a three week period, which allowed identification of microbial source and sink processes.