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Optimization of automated gas sample collection and isotope ratio mass spectrometric analysis of δ 13 C of CO 2 in air
Author(s) -
Zeeman Matthias J.,
Werner Roland A.,
Eugster Werner,
Siegwolf Rolf T. W.,
Wehrle Günther,
Mohn Joachim,
Buchmann Nina
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.3772
Subject(s) - chemistry , isotope ratio mass spectrometry , tracer , analytical chemistry (journal) , mass spectrometry , isotope , sampling (signal processing) , stable isotope ratio , isotope analysis , accuracy and precision , sample (material) , chromatography , nuclear physics , physics , statistics , mathematics , filter (signal processing) , computer science , computer vision , biology , ecology
The application of 13 C/ 12 C in ecosystem‐scale tracer models for CO 2 in air requires accurate measurements of the mixing ratios and stable isotope ratios of CO 2 . To increase measurement reliability and data intercomparability, as well as to shorten analysis times, we have improved an existing field sampling setup with portable air sampling units and developed a laboratory setup for the analysis of the δ 13 C of CO 2 in air by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The changes consist of (a) optimization of sample and standard gas flow paths, (b) additional software configuration, and (c) automation of liquid nitrogen refilling for the cryogenic trap. We achieved a precision better than 0.1‰ and an accuracy of 0.11 ± 0.04‰ for the measurement of δ 13 C of CO 2 in air and unattended operation of measurement sequences up to 12 h. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.