A direct method to measure 14CO₂ lost by evasion from surface waters

Billett, M.F., Garnett, M.H. and Hardie, S.M.L. (2006) A direct method to measure 14CO₂ lost by evasion from surface waters. Radiocarbon, 48(1), pp. 61-68.

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Publisher's URL: https://journals.uair.arizona.edu/index.php/radiocarbon/article/view/2848

Abstract

Recent methodological advances in the use of zeolite molecular sieves for measuring the isotopic signature of CO₂ have provided the opportunity to make direct measurements of ¹⁴CO₂ in various field situations. We linked a portable molecular sieve/pump/IRGA system to a floating chamber to demonstrate the potential of the method to quantify the isotopic signature (δ¹³C and ¹⁴C) of CO₂ lost by evasion (outgassing) from surface waters. The system, which was tested on a peatland stream in Scotland, involved 1) an initial period of scrubbing ambient CO₂ from the chamber, 2) a period of CO₂ build-up caused by surface water evasion, and 3) a final period of CO₂ collection by the molecular sieve cartridge. The field test at 2 different sites on the same drainage system suggested that the results were reproducible in terms of δ¹³C and ¹⁴C values. These represent the first direct measurements of the isotopic signature of CO₂ lost by evasion from water surfaces.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Garnett, Dr Mark
• Authors: Billett, M.F., Garnett, M.H., and Hardie, S.M.L.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Radiocarbon
• ISSN: 0033-8222