C and O stable isotopic signatures of fast-growing dripstones on alkaline substrates: reflection of growth mechanism,carbonate sources and environmental conditions

Secondary carbonate precipitates (dripstones) formed on concrete surfaces in four different environments – Mediterranean and continental open-space and indoor environments (inside a building and in a karstic cave) – were studied. The fabric of dripstones depends upon water supply, pH of mother solution and carbonate-resulting precipitation rate. Very low δ¹³C (average?28.2‰) and δ¹⁸O (average?18.4‰) values showed a strong positive correlation, typical for carbonate precipitated by rapid dissolution of CO₂ in a highly alkaline solution and consequent disequilibrium precipitation of CaCO₃. The main source of carbon is atmospheric or biogenic CO₂ in the poorly ventilated karstic cave, which is reflected in even lower δ¹³C values. Statistical analysis of δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values of the four groups of samples showed that the governing factor of isotope fractionation is not the temperature, but rather the precipitation rate.     

Influence of Nitrogen,Water and Competition on Carbon Isotope Ratios (δ13C) in a CAM Plant (Crassula argentea)

Abstract

Leaf carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C), an indicator of long-term intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, and also stem and root carbon isotope ratios were measured on the obligate CAM species Crassula argentea cultivated in pure and mixed cultures with the succulent C₃ Peperomia obtusifolia in open-air conditions under two different levels of nitrogen and water supply.

As expected, a diminished water supply and a relatively dry and hot summer climate cause a shift of δ¹³C values to a less strong ¹³C discrimination (less negative δ¹³C values). A diminished nitrogen supply causes a shift of the δ¹³C values in direction of a higher ¹³C discrimination (more negative δ¹³C values), particularly in the leaves. Competition causes also an increased ¹³C discrimination, especially valid for shoot axes.

The shift of ¹³C/¹²C isotope ratios in case of nitrogen deficiency is discussed to be a result of a decreased PEPCase activity in the night.     

Field-based cavity ring-down spectrometry of δ13C in soil-respired CO2

Measurement of soil-respired CO₂ at high temporal resolution and sample density is necessary to accurately identify sources and quantify effluxes of soil-respired CO₂. A portable sampling device for the analysis of δ¹³C values in the field is described herein.

CO₂ accumulated in a soil chamber was batch sampled sequentially in four gas bags and analysed by Wavelength-Scanned Cavity Ring-down Spectrometry (WS-CRDS). A Keeling plot (1/[CO₂] versus δ¹³C) was used to derive δ¹³C values of soil-respired CO₂. Calibration to the δ¹³C Vienna Peedee Belemnite scale was by analysis of cylinder CO₂ and CO₂ derived from dissolved carbonate standards. The performance of gas-bag analysis was compared to continuous analysis where the WS-CRDS analyser was connected directly to the soil chamber.

Although there are inherent difficulties in obtaining absolute accuracy data for δ¹³C values in soil-respired CO₂, the similarity of δ¹³C values obtained for the same test soil with different analytical configurations indicated that an acceptable accuracy of the δ¹³C data were obtained by the WS-CRDS techniques presented here. Field testing of a variety of tropical soil/vegetation types, using the batch sampling technique yielded δ¹³C values for soil-respired CO₂ related to the dominance of either C₃ (tree, δ¹³C=?27.8 to?31.9 ‰) or C₄ (tropical grass, δ¹³C=?9.8 to?13.6 ‰) photosynthetic pathways in vegetation at the sampling sites. Standard errors of the Keeling plot intercept δ¹³C values of soil-respired CO₂ were typically<0.4 ‰ for analysis of soils with high CO₂ efflux (>7–9 μmol m^?2 s^?1).     

Spatial and seasonal variations in the stable C isotope composition of dissolved inorganic carbon and in physico-chemical water parameters in the Plitvice Lakes system

Plitvice Lakes waters were collected at 14 sampling points, including springs, tributaries and lakes, for the period 2002–2007. The results of the physical and chemical conditions of calcite precipitation as well as the δ¹³C values of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were used to study the processes influencing calcite precipitation. Significant differences between spring, lake and stream waters as well as changes in the downstream direction were observed. The correlation between δ¹³C_DIC values and physico-chemical conditions for calcite precipitation showed that calcite precipitates in lake waters which are oversaturated with respect to CaCO₃ (I _sat values 4–10) and with δ¹³C_DIC values between?11.5 and?8.5 ‰. In spring waters, the δ¹³C_DIC values were more negative, from?14 to?12 ‰, and I _sat values of 1–2 indicated that equilibrium conditions for calcite precipitation were not attained. The downstream increase in δ¹³C_DIC correlated with the increase in the δ¹³C values of calcite in the lake sediments, suggesting that the freshwater calcite was mainly of autochthonous origin and precipitated within the water column in isotopic equilibrium with DIC.     

Determination of 13C/12C-Ratios in Rumen Produced Methane and CO2 of Cows,Sheep and Camels

Abstract

Naturally produced methane shows different δ¹³C-values with respect to its origin, e.g., geological or biological. Methane-production of ruminants is considered to be the dominant source from the animal kingdom. Isotopic values of rumen methane—given in literature—range between ?80‰ and -50‰ and are related to feed composition and also sampling techniques. Keeping cows, camels and sheep under identical feed conditions and sampling rumen gases via implanted fistulae we compared δ_PDB ¹³C-values of methane and CO₂ between the species. Referring to mean values obtained from 4 or 5 samples at different times of 11 animals (n = 47) we calculated δ_PDB ¹³C-medians resulting in small but not significant differences within and significant differences between the species for CO₂ and methane. The δ_PDB ¹³C-differences between methane and CO₂ were statistically equal within and also between the species. Therefore a linear regression of methane values on CO₂ is appropriate and leads to: δ_PDB ¹³C(methane)‰ = 1,57 * δ_PDB ¹³C(CO₂)‰-47‰ with a correlation coefficient of r = 0,87.     

Laser spectroscopic monitoring of gas emission and measurements of the C/C isotope ratio in CO2 from a wood-based combustion

We report on the application of a compact and field-deployable instrument, based on a continuous-wave fiber-coupled Telecom external cavity diode laser, to measure the ¹³C/¹²C isotope ratio in CO₂ from a wood-based combustion. Carbon dioxide, the most important greenhouse gas, is a major product of combustion. The measurements of the ¹³C/¹²C isotopic ratio in CO₂ from combustion emission permit one to identify the CO₂ source and to study the temporal and spatial variations of pollution in the atmosphere. The average value of the ¹³CO₂/¹²CO₂ ratio is found to be (1.1011±0.0024)%. The corresponding δ-value relative to PDB standard is (−20.17±2.14)‰, which is in good agreement with the typical value of (−25±2)‰ for wood. Simultaneous monitoring of multiple species from gas emission has been performed using direct-absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations of C₂H₂, CO, CO₂ and H₂O were determined on the basis of integrated absorbance measured by least-squares fitting a Voigt lineshape to experimental absorption spectra.     

Soil matrix tracer contamination and canopy recycling did not impair 13CO2 plant–soil pulse labelling experiments

When conducting ¹³CO₂ plant–soil pulse labelling experiments, tracer material might cause unwanted side effects which potentially affect δ¹³C measurements of soil respiration (δ¹³C_SR) and the subsequent data interpretation. First, when the soil matrix is not isolated from the atmosphere, contamination of the soil matrix with tracer material occurs leading to a physical back-diffusion from soil pores. Second, when using canopy chambers continuously, ¹³CO₂ is permanently re-introduced into the atmosphere due to leaf respiration which then aids re-assimilation of tracer material by the canopy. Accordingly, two climate chamber experiments on European beech saplings (Fagus sylvatica L.) were conducted to evaluate the influence of soil matrix ¹³CO₂ contamination and canopy recycling on soil ¹³CO₂ efflux during ¹³CO₂ plant–soil pulse labelling experiments. For this purpose, a combined soil/canopy chamber system was developed which separates soil and canopy compartments in order to (a) prevent diffusion of ¹³C tracer into the soil chamber during a ¹³CO₂ canopy pulse labelling and (b) study stable isotope processes in soil and canopy individually and independently. In combination with laser spectrometry measuring CO₂ isotopologue mixing ratios at a rate of 1 Hz, we were able to measure δ¹³C in canopy and soil at very high temporal resolution. For the soil matrix contamination experiment, ¹³CO₂ was applied to bare soil, canopy only or, simultaneously, to soil and canopy of the beech trees. The obtained δ¹³C_SR fluxes from the different treatments were then compared with respect to label re-appearance, first peak time and magnitude. By determining the δ¹³C_SR decay of physical ¹³CO₂ back-diffusion from bare soils (contamination), it was possible to separate biological and physical components in δ¹³C_SR of a combined flux of both. A second pulse labelling experiment, with chambers permanently enclosing the canopy, revealed that ¹³CO₂ recycling at canopy level had no effect on δ¹³C_SR dynamics.     

Measuring δ13C values of atmospheric acetaldehyde via sodium bisulfite adsorption and cysteamine derivatisation

δ¹³C values of gaseous acetaldehyde were measured by gas chromatograph–combustion–isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC–C–IRMS) via sodium bisulfite (NaHSO₃) adsorption and cysteamine derivatisation. Gaseous acetaldehyde was collected via NaHSO₃-coated Sep-Pak^® silica gel cartridge, then derivatised with cysteamine, and then the δ¹³C value of the acetaldehyde–cysteamine derivative was measured by GC–C–IRMS. Using two acetaldehydes with different δ¹³C values, derivatisation experiments were carried out to cover concentrations between 0.009×10^?3 and 1.96×10^?3 mg·l^?1) of atmospheric acetaldehyde, and then δ¹³C fractionation was evaluated in the derivatisation of acetaldehyde based on stoichiometric mass balance after measuring the δ¹³C values of acetaldehyde, cysteamine and the acetaldehyde–cysteamine derivative. δ¹³C measurements in the derivertisation process showed good reproducibility (<0.5 ‰) for gaseous acetaldehyde. The differences between predicted and measured δ¹³C values were 0.04–0.31 ‰ for acetaldehyde–cysteamine derivative, indicating that the derivatisation introduces no isotope fractionation for gaseous acetaldehyde, and obtained δ¹³C values of acetaldehyde in ambient air at the two sites were distinct (?34.00 ‰ at an urban site versus?31.00 ‰ at a forest site), implying potential application of the method to study atmospheric acetaldehyde.     

The effect of physical back-diffusion of 13CO2 tracer on the coupling between photosynthesis and soil CO2 efflux in grassland

Pulse labelling experiments provide a common tool to study short-term processes in the plant–soil system and investigate below-ground carbon allocation as well as the coupling of soil CO₂ efflux to photosynthesis. During the first hours after pulse labelling, the measured isotopic signal of soil CO₂ efflux is a combination of both physical tracer diffusion into and out of the soil as well as biological tracer release via root and microbial respiration. Neglecting physical back-diffusion can lead to misinterpretation regarding time lags between photosynthesis and soil CO₂ efflux in grassland or any ecosystem type where the above-ground plant parts cannot be labelled in gas-tight chambers separated from the soil. We studied the effects of physical ¹³CO₂ tracer back-diffusion in pulse labelling experiments in grassland, focusing on the isotopic signature of soil CO₂ efflux. Having accounted for back-diffusion, the estimated time lag for first tracer appearance in soil CO₂ efflux changed from 0 to 1.81±0.56 h (mean±SD) and the time lag for maximum tracer appearance from 2.67±0.39 to 9.63±3.32 h (mean±SD). Thus, time lags were considerably longer when physical tracer diffusion was considered. Using these time lags after accounting for physical back-diffusion, high nocturnal soil CO₂ efflux rates could be related to daytime rates of gross primary productivity (R²=0.84). Moreover, pronounced diurnal patterns in the δ¹³C of soil CO₂ efflux were found during the decline of the tracer over 3 weeks. Possible mechanisms include diurnal changes in the relative contributions of autotrophic and heterotrophic soil respiration as well as their respective δ¹³C values. Thus, after accounting for physical back-diffusion, we were able to quantify biological time lags in the coupling of photosynthesis and soil CO₂ efflux in grassland at the diurnal time scale.     

Stable isotope ratio method for the characterisation of the poultry house environment

Stable isotope analysis was applied to describe the poultry house environment. The poultry house indoor environment was selected for this study due to the relevant health problems in animals and their caretakers. Air quality parameters including temperature, relative humidity, airflow rate, NH₃, CO₂ and total suspended particles, as well as mean levels of total airborne bacteria and fungi count, were measured. Carbon isotope ratios (¹³C/¹²C) were obtained in size-segregated aerosol particles. The carbon (¹³C/¹²C) and nitrogen (¹⁵N/¹⁴N) isotope ratios were measured in feed, litter, scrapings from the ventilation system, feathers and eggs. Additionally, the distribution of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values in different tissues of the chicken was examined. The airborne bacteria and fungi extracted from the air filters collected from poultry farms were grown in the laboratory in media with known isotope values and measured for stable isotope ratios. Analysis of isotope fractionation between microorganisms and their media indicated the applicability of stable isotope analysis in bulk samples for the identification of source material. The analysed examples imply that stable isotope analysis can be used to examine the indoor environment along with its biology and ecology, and serve as an informative bioanalytical tool.     

Stable carbon isotopic composition of tree rings from a pine tree from Augustów Wilderness,Poland, as a temperature and local environment conditions indicator

Tree rings can be used as archives of climatic and environmental data with annual resolution. Tree rings widths, maximum late wood density and other parameters as stable composition in tree rings can be used for the reconstruction of past climatic and environmental changes. Stable carbon isotope ratios in tree rings may provide valuable information on past climatic conditions. ¹³C/¹²C ratios of plant organic matter can reflect corresponding ¹³C/¹²C ratio of atmospheric CO₂ during formation of the rings. Investigations of isotopic carbon composition in tree rings from in the ecologically clean the Augustów Wilderness region in the north-eastern part of Poland (22°58′E, 53°51′N) (nowadays a sanctuary) were undertaken. Series of δ¹³C in α-cellulose and in wholewood were acquired. Those measurements constituted a part of more complex investigations of carbon isotope composition in tree rings including the measurements of radiocarbon concentration and tree ring widths. This article presents preliminary results. It is argued that contrary to the tree ring widths and δ¹³C in wholewood that do not reveal significant correlation with temperature, the variation of δ¹³C in the latewood α-cellulose is correlated with combined July and August temperatures.     

Feeding and Growth of Apple Snail Pomacea lineata in the Pantanal Wetland,Brazil—a Stable Isotope Approach

Abstract

Apple snails Pomacea lineata (SPIX 1827) are widespread in the tropical regions of Brazil as well as in the Pantanal wetland of Mato Grosso in the western part of the country. They have a key position in the Pantanal food web and serve as food for many animals e.g. fishes, birds, and caimans. However, little is known about their feeding preferences and growth rates. Stable isotopes have been used successfully on numerous studies as food source indicator. Therefore, the δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values of snails from 0.45 to 3.03cm in length, which were collected in the rainy season from March through May, were analyzed. Snails signatures revealed ambiguous evidence for food preferences. δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values ranged between ?2.8 and 12.4‰ and between ?24.2 and ?16.4‰, respectively. This range of values mirrors the highly variable isotope values of possible food sources comprising C₃ and C₄ macrophytes. To test whether all common food sources were similarly assimilated, feeding experiments with different diets were conducted. Snail eggs were reared in tanks and offered different but single plants. Snails fed different diets and δ¹³C values of the food were reflected in the animal tissue. Growth varied considerably in experiments with different diets indicating the preference for certain food sources. Also, the fractionation of nitrogen isotopes between food and animal varied from 0.1 to 17.0‰. The results are explained by different feeding habits, and it is supposed that animals fed either on the plant itself or on bacteria mats growing in the tanks. In an additional experiment juvenile snails were offered one single food with a distinctive C₄ grass signature. These snails did not grow detectably, but nevertheless isotope signatures approached to values of the diet.     

Stable carbon isotopes in dissolved inorganic carbon: extraction and implications for quantifying the contributions from silicate and carbonate weathering in the Krishna River system during peak discharge

We present a comparative study of two offline methods, a newly developed method and an existing one, for the measurement of the stable carbon isotopic composition (δ¹³C) of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC; δ¹³C_DIC) in natural waters. The measured δ¹³C_DIC values of different water samples, prepared from laboratory Na₂CO₃, ground and oceanic waters, and a laboratory carbonate isotope standard, are found to be accurate and reproducible to within 0.5 ‰\ (1σ). The extraction of CO₂ from water samples by these methods does not require pre-treatment or sample poisoning and can be applied to a variety of natural waters to address carbon cycling in the hydrosphere. In addition, we present a simple method (based on a two-end-member mixing model) to estimate the silicate-weathering contribution to DIC in a river system by using the concentration of DIC and its δ¹³C. This approach is tested with data from the Krishna River system as a case study, thereby quantifying the contribution of silicate and carbonate weathering to DIC, particularly during peak discharge.     

13C NMR Chemical Shifts of Heterocycles: 3∗. Empirical Substituent Effects in 2-Halomethyl-2-hydroxy-tetrahydrofurans and -5,6-tetrahydro-4H-pyrans

Abstract

Evaluation by empirically derived equations for the Substituent effect (α, β, γ, δ) on the ¹³C NMR chemical shifts for C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, the halomethyl-substituted carbon (C-7) and the cyano or oxymic carbon (C-8) in 2-halomethyl-2-hydroxy-tetrahydrofurans 1a-c, 2, 3a, b, 4a and -5,6-tetrahydro-4H-pyrans 5a-c, 6a [with C-2-substituents (R²): CF₃, CCl₃ or CHCl₂, C-3-substituents (R³): CN, C(Me)=NOH, CH=NOMe, C(Me)=NOMe or CH=NOH], taking as reference the 2-trifluoromethyl-2-hydroxy-tetrahydrofuran (la), is reported. From the additivity properties of the α-, β-, γ-, δ-and ?-effects for each Substituent it is possible to predict the chemical shift of each carbon of the compounds 1–6.

     

Factors Influencing Stable Isotope Ratios in CH4 and CO2 Within Subenvironments of Freshwater Wetlands: Implications for δ-Signatures of Emissions

Abstract

Much uncertainty still exists regarding spatial and temporal variability of stable isotope ratios (¹³C/¹²C and D/H) in different CH₄-emission sources. Such variability is especially prevalent in freshwater wetlands where a range of processes can influence stable isotope compositions, resulting in variations of up to ～50‰ for δ¹³C-CH₄ and ～150‰ for δD-CH₄ values. Within a temperate-zone bog and marsh situated in southwestern Ontario, Canada, gas bubbles in pond sediments exhibit only minor seasonal and spatial variation in δ¹³C-CH₄, δD-CH₄ and δ¹³C-CO₂ values. In pond sediments, CO₂ appears to be the main source of carbon during methanogenesis either directly via CO₂ reduction or indirectly through dissimilation of autotrophic acetate. In contrast, CH₄ production occurs primarily via acetate fermentation at shallow depths in peat soils adjacent to ponds at each wetland. At greater depths within soils, σCO₂ and H₂O increasingly exert an influence on δ¹³C- and δD-CH₄ values. Secondary alteration processes (e.g., methanotrophy or diffusive transport) are unlikely to be responsible for depth-related changes in stable isotope values of CH₄. Recent models that attempt to predict δD-CH₄ values in freshwater environments from D/H ratios in local precipitation do not adequately account for such changes with depth. Subenvironments (i.e., soil-forming and open water areas) in wetlands should be considered separately with respect to stable isotope signatures in CH₄ emission models.     

Estimation of microbial methane generation and oxidation rates in the municipal solid waste landfill of Kaluga city,Russia

Using a theoretical model and mass isotopic balance, biogas (methane and CO₂) released from buried products at their microbial degradation was analysed in the landfill of municipal and non-toxic industrial solid organic waste near Kaluga city, Russia. The landfill contains about 1.34×10⁶ tons of waste buried using a ‘sandwich technique’ (successive application of sand–clay and waste layers). The δ¹³C values of biogenic methane with respect to CO₂ were?56.8 (±2.5) ‰, whereas the δ¹³C of CO₂ peaked at+9.12‰ (+1.4±2.3‰ on average), reflecting a virtual fractionation of carbon isotopes in the course of bacterial CO₂ reduction at the landfill body. After passing through the aerated soil layers, methane was partially oxidised and characterised by δ¹³C in the range of?50.6 to?38.2‰, evidencing enrichment in ¹³C, while the released carbon dioxide had δ¹³C of?23.3 to?4.04‰, respectively. On the mass isotopic balance for the δ¹³C values, the methane production in the landfill anaerobic zone and the methane emitted through the aerated landfill surface to the atmosphere, the portion of methane oxidised by methanotrophic bacteria was calculated to be from 10 to 40% (averaged about 25%). According to the theoretical estimation and field measurements, the annual rate of methane production in the landfill reached about 2.9(±1.4)×10⁹ g C CH₄ yr^?1 or 5.3(±2.6)×10⁶ m³ CH₄ yr^?1. The average rates of methane production in the landfill and methane emission from landfill to the atmosphere are estimated as about 53 (±26) g C CH₄ m^?2 d^?1 (or 4 (±2) mol CH₄ m^?2 d^?1) and 33 (±12) g C CH₄ m^?2 d^?1 (or 2.7 (±1) mol CH₄ m^?2 d^?1), respectively. The calculated part of methane consumed by methanotrophic bacteria in the aerated part of the landfill was 13(±7) g C CH₄ m^?2 d^?1 (or 1.1(±0.6) mol CH₄ m^?2 d^?1) on average.     

A Sensitive Isotope Selective Nondispersive Infrared Spectrometer for 13CO2 and 12CO2 Concentration Measurements in Breath Samples

We present a nondispersive infrared spectrometer (NDIRS) for the measurement of the ¹³CO₂/¹²CO₂-ratio in breath samples. A commercial NDIR spectrometer for CO₂ concentration measurements in industrial process control was modified using two separate optical channels for the ¹³CO₂ and ¹²CO₂ detection. Cross interference due to overlapping absorption lines of both isotopic gases was successfully eliminated. The sensitivity of this device is ± 0.4‰ of the ¹³CO₂/¹²CO₂-ratio in a range of 2.5 to 5% of total CO₂. This is sufficient for biomedical applications. Our spectrometer is small in size, cheap and simple to operate and thus a true alternative to isotope ratio mass spectrometers (IRMS). Several biomedical applications with breath samples were demonstrated and were compared in very good agreement with IRMS.     

Ecophysiological Studies on the Vegetation of Madagascar: A δ13C and δD Survey for Incidence of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (Cam) Among Orchids From Montane Forests and Succulents from the Xerophytic Thorn-Bush

Abstract

The incidence of Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) in plants collected at various habitats in Madagascar was investigated by survey of carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios ((δ¹³C and δD values). In about 50% of the epiphytic orchids from evergreen higher and lower montane forests the δ¹³C values were indicative for CAM. The remainder of the species are presumably C₃ plants. In all samples of malagasy epiphytic leafless orchids comprising 9 species, the δ¹³C values suggest extreme CAM with CO₂ uptake proceeding entirely during the night. All terrestrial orchids collected in the lower montane forests obviously acquire external carbon by C₃-photosynthesis, whereas Lissochilus decaryi, a terrestrial orchid from the semi-arid south of Madagascar and various other species of this genus are CAM plants. This is the first report of CAM occurrence in sympodial terrestrial orchids.

Judged by the δ¹³C values, all succulents (mainly Didiereaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Crassulaceae and Asclepiadaceae) collected at the xerophytic thorn-bush of the semi-arid south perform pronounced CAM. Where it applies, our δ¹³C measurements in the thorn-bush succulents revealed values being practically identical with those found by K. Winter in samples of the same species collected at the same site nearly 10 years earlier. This shows extreme constancy over long duration of time in the mode of CAM performed by the succulents of the malagasy thorn-bush vegetation. Since the δ¹³C survey now comprises all 11 known species of the Didiereaceae, it is unequivocally clear that all members of this family are CAM plants. Most of the individuals of the species of the Didiereaceae grown in a glass-house had slightly more negative δ¹³C values compared with those grown at the natural stands suggesting some contribution of C₃-photosynthesis to carbon acquisition under the evaporatively less demanding glass-house conditions (and perhaps higher CO₂ concentrations in the gas phase).

Despite of the fact that the hydrogen isotope composition of meteoric waters depends to a large extent on the altitude and temperature-climate of the site where the concerned plants grow, it was found that in samples obtained in the cooler higher evergreen montane forest as well as in the warmer lower evergreen montane forest and the lowland thorn-bush of the hot, semiarid south of Madagascar the δ values found in the organic matter (δD^org) were in the same range (between about - 10‰ to about - 90‰). This suggests that in our case the hydrogen isotope compositions of the meteoric waters were of minor importance in bringing about the δD^org values found in the plants.     

Carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses coupled with palynological data of PM10 in Wrocław city (SW Poland) – assessment of anthropogenic impact

We have applied both palynological and carbon and nitrogen isotopic analyses of PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 μm or less) to trace its origin and to assess the anthropogenic impact for the area under study. The PM10 samples were collected in Wroc?aw (SW Poland) by the Regional Inspectorate for Environment Protection during the year 2007. The usefulness of the palynological observations in the case of PM10 is much lower than that for total suspended particles due to the resolution of absorbed particles, but is still helpful for distinguishing C₃/C₄ plants that indicate long-distance transport of pollutants. The δ¹³C(PM10) values varied seasonally from?26.9 to?25.1‰. The δ¹⁵N(PM10) values showed chaotic fluctuations and varied from 5.0 to 13.7‰. Our results indicated that during the heating period, the PM10 particles in Wroc?aw are derived mainly from local home heaters, whereas in the growing period, PM10 particles are derived from local transport and are partially generated by the industrial application of coal combustion outside the city of Wroc?aw.     

Untersuchungen zur Isotopensignatur von Methan und Kohlendioxid aus biogenen Gasen unterschiedlicher Quellen

Abstract

The isotopic compositions of biogenic carbon dioxide and methane from different sites were investigated. The δ¹³C values of methane vary mainly between ?55‰ and ?75‰ whereas δ¹³C values of carbon dioxide were found from about + 11‰ to ?23‰. Especially the latter ones are not so typical for microbial gases. The different sites don't vary over the whole scales but form certain groups. Secondary effects like diffusion change the δ values of both components in an even more negative direction, while oxidation processes near the surface result in more positive δ¹³C values for methane and very negative δ¹³C values for carbon dioxide.