Open AccessFirst field determination of the ¹³C/¹²C isotope ratio in volcanic CO2 by diode-laser
Author(s) -
Antonio Castrillo,
Giovanni Della Casa,
M. Bürgel,
Dario Tedesco,
L. Gianfrani
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/opex.12.006515
Subject(s) - volcano , fumarole , laser , isotope , impact crater , optics , flux (metallurgy) , spectrometer , isotopes of carbon , carbon fibers , materials science , environmental science , analytical chemistry (journal) , remote sensing , geology , chemistry , physics , nuclear physics , environmental chemistry , astrobiology , geochemistry , composite number , metallurgy , composite material
Carbon isotope ratio analysis using a laser-based technique has been performed in the field, on the gaseous emissions from an active volcano. We here describe that 13CO2/12CO2 determinations can be carried out in a quasi-continuous regime using a compact, selective and sensitive diode laser spectrometer at a wavelength of 2 mum. Within the Solfatara crater (near Naples, Italy), in a very harsh environment, we were able to determine relative 13CO2/12CO2 values, on the highest flux fumarole, with an accuracy of 0.5 per thousand. Regular and frequent observations of the carbon isotopes in volcanic gases, which become possible with our methodology, are of the utmost importance for geochemical surveillance of volcanoes.