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Theoretical Proof and Empirical Confirmation of a Continuous Labeling Method Using Naturally 13 C‐Depleted Carbon Dioxide
Author(s) -
Cheng Weixin,
Dijkstra Feike A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of integrative plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.734
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1744-7909
pISSN - 1672-9072
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7909.2007.00387.x
Subject(s) - tracing , natural abundance , carbon dioxide , airflow , isotope , isotopes of carbon , chemistry , spectrum analyzer , continuous flow , stable isotope ratio , radiochemistry , environmental science , biological system , process engineering , analytical chemistry (journal) , computer science , mass spectrometry , environmental chemistry , nuclear physics , biochemical engineering , chromatography , physics , engineering , thermodynamics , telecommunications , organic chemistry , biology , operating system
Continuous isotope labeling and tracing is often needed to study the transformation, movement, and allocation of carbon in plant‐soil systems. However, existing labeling methods have numerous limitations. The present study introduces a new continuous labeling method using naturally 13 C‐depleted CO 2 . We theoretically proved that a stable level of 13 C‐CO 2 abundance in a labeling chamber can be maintained by controlling the rate of CO 2 ‐free air injection and the rate of ambient airflow with coupling of automatic control of CO 2 concentration using a CO 2 analyzer. The theoretical results were tested and confirmed in a 54 day experiment in a plant growth chamber. This new continuous labeling method avoids the use of radioactive 14 C or expensive 13 C‐enriched CO 2 required by existing methods and therefore eliminates issues of radiation safety or unaffordable isotope cost, as well as creating new opportunities for short‐ or long‐term labeling experiments under a controlled environment.