Stable isotope compositions of CO(2) in background air and at polluted sites in Hungary

Abstract

CO(2) samples were collected from air at three sites in Hungary for comparison of polluted and background areas. In order to reduce the uncertainties caused by the varying amount of N(2)O, a gas chromatography (GC)-based vacuum separation was applied. The reliability of the procedure was demonstrated by careful standardization and comparison with global network data. The stable isotope data show complex diurnal and seasonal variations that can be explained by fractionations during photosynthesis and respiration. The isotopic characteristics of pollution-derived (anthropogenic) and biogenic CO(2) appear to be indistinguishable at the study sites. However, the sites at unpolluted areas reveal a seasonal variation in the carbon isotope composition of biogenic CO(2) that may be related to changes in soil biogenic activities. The atmospheric background CO(2) shows constant delta(13)C in the region. Finally, the study demonstrates the need for careful standardization of sampling in order to make the data obtained from different sampling systems comparable.