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Membrane inlet laser spectroscopy to measure H and O stable isotope compositions of soil and sediment pore water with high sample throughput
Author(s) -
Oerter Erik J.,
Perelet Alexei,
Pardyjak Eric,
Bowen Gabriel
Publication year - 2016
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.7768
Subject(s) - chemistry , soil water , stable isotope ratio , sediment , isotope ratio mass spectrometry , soil test , macropore , analytical chemistry (journal) , environmental chemistry , soil science , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental science , mass spectrometry , geology , geomorphology , chromatography , physics , geotechnical engineering , quantum mechanics , mesoporous material , biochemistry , catalysis
Rationale The fast and accurate measurement of H and O stable isotope compositions (δ 2 H and δ 18 O values) of soil and sediment pore water remains an impediment to scaling‐up the application of these isotopes in soil and vadose hydrology. Here we describe a method and its calibration to measuring soil and sediment pore water δ 2 H and δ 18 O values using a water vapor‐permeable probe coupled to an isotope ratio infrared spectroscopy analyzer. Methods We compare the water vapor probe method with a vapor direct equilibration method, and vacuum extraction with liquid water analysis. At a series of four study sites in a managed desert agroecosystem in the eastern Great Basin of North America, we use the water vapor probe to measure soil depth profiles of δ 2 H and δ 18 O values. Results We demonstrate the accuracy of the method to be equivalent to direct headspace equilibration and vacuum extraction techniques, with increased ease of use in its application, and with analysis throughput rates greater than 7 h −1 . The soil depth H and O stable isotope profiles show that soil properties such as contrasting soil texture and pedogenic soil horizons control the shape of the isotope profiles, which are reflective of local evaporation conditions within the soils. Conclusions We conclude that this water vapor probe method has potential to yield large numbers of H and O stable isotope analyses of soil and sediment waters within shorter timeframes and with increased ease than with currently existing methods. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.