A rapid and precise method for sampling and determining the oxygen isotope ratio of atmospheric water vapor

Brent R Helliker; John S Roden; Craig Cook; James R Ehleringer

doi:10.1002/rcm.659

A rapid and precise method for sampling and determining the oxygen isotope ratio of atmospheric water vapor

Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2002;16(10):929-32. doi: 10.1002/rcm.659.

Authors

Brent R Helliker¹, John S Roden, Craig Cook, James R Ehleringer

Affiliation

¹ SIRFER, 257 S. 1400 E., Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA.

PMID: 11968123
DOI: 10.1002/rcm.659

Abstract

A quantitative method for cryogenically sampling atmospheric water vapor on the temporal scale of 10 to 15 min in the field or laboratory is described. The sample apparatus is lightweight, affordable, and easy to assemble. The method allows for H2O:CO2 equilibration within the same sampling tubes and hence increases turnaround time for delta18O analysis. Quantitative analysis in the laboratory showed recovery of a vaporized, known, 18O water standard to 0.2 per thousand precision.