With the emergence of wide-spread application of cavity ring-down spectrometers (CRDS) to monitor δ13C in atmospheric CO2 there is a growing need to ensure well calibrated measurements. We characterized a cavity ring-down spectrometer system used for continuous in-situ monitoring of atmospheric 13CO2. We found no concentration dependency of the δ13C ratio within the range of 303–437 ppm.

Understanding leaf wax regeneration and recycling is crucial for plant physiology and paleoclimate studies. However, our recent isotope labeling experiments on a grass species (Phleum pratense) yielded different conclusions from published data on a tree species (Populus trichocarpa), with the former showing rapid regeneration and the latter little regeneration in mature leaves.

Understanding leaf wax regeneration and recycling is crucial for plant physiology and paleoclimate studies. However, our recent isotope labeling experiments on a grass species (Phleum pratense) yielded different conclusions from published data on a tree species (Populus trichocarpa), with the former showing rapid regeneration and the latter little regeneration in mature leaves.

Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) is accelerating and will contribute signifi-cantly to global sea level rise during the 21st century. Instrumental data on GrIS melting only cover the last few decades, and proxy data extending our knowledge into5 the past are vital for validating models predicting the influence of ongoing climatechange. We investigated a potential meltwater proxy in Godthabsfjord (West Green- ˚land), where glacier meltwater causes seasonal excursions with lower oxygen isotopewater (δ18Ow) values and salinity.

Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) is accelerating and will contribute signifi-cantly to global sea level rise during the 21st century. Instrumental data on GrIS melting only cover the last few decades, and proxy data extending our knowledge into5 the past are vital for validating models predicting the influence of ongoing climatechange. We investigated a potential meltwater proxy in Godthabsfjord (West Green- ˚land), where glacier meltwater causes seasonal excursions with lower oxygen isotopewater (δ18Ow) values and salinity.

In preparation for the routine deployment of the Earth Networks greenhouse gas monitoring network, we have designed and tested a simple method for drying ambient airto below 0.2 % mole fraction H2O using a Nafion dryer. The inlet was designed for usewith a Picarro model G2301 cavity ring down spectrometer (CRDS) CO2/CH45 /H2O analyzer. The analyzer measures water vapor mixing ratio at the same frequency as CO2and CH4 and then corrects for the dilution and peak broadening effects of H2O on theCO2 and CH4 mixing ratios.

In preparation for the routine deployment of the Earth Networks greenhouse gas monitoring network, we have designed and tested a simple method for drying ambient airto below 0.2 % mole fraction H2O using a Nafion dryer. The inlet was designed for usewith a Picarro model G2301 cavity ring down spectrometer (CRDS) CO2/CH45 /H2O analyzer. The analyzer measures water vapor mixing ratio at the same frequency as CO2and CH4 and then corrects for the dilution and peak broadening effects of H2O on theCO2 and CH4 mixing ratios.

This article reports the first application of coupled total organic carbon cavity ring-down spectroscopy (TOC-CRDS) for the analysis of the δ13C signature of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in freshwater samples. DOC represents a major, dynamic component of the global carbon cycle. The export of DOC from soils into rivers and groundwaters may be highly climate sensitive, and much of this export may occur in ephemeral fluxes. Thus, a robust, simple and inexpensive method for the continuous determination of DOC concentration and quality is urgently needed.

This article reports the first application of coupled total organic carbon cavity ring-down spectroscopy (TOC-CRDS) for the analysis of the δ13C signature of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in freshwater samples. DOC represents a major, dynamic component of the global carbon cycle. The export of DOC from soils into rivers and groundwaters may be highly climate sensitive, and much of this export may occur in ephemeral fluxes. Thus, a robust, simple and inexpensive method for the continuous determination of DOC concentration and quality is urgently needed.

Within the project MUSICA (MUlti-platform remote Sensing of Isotopologues for investigating the Cycle of Atmospheric water), long-term tropospheric water vapour isotopologues data records are provided for ten globally distributed ground-based mid-infrared remote sensing stations of the NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change). We present a new method allowing for an extensive and straightforward characterisation of the complex nature of such isotopologue remote sensing datasets.

Within the project MUSICA (MUlti-platform remote Sensing of Isotopologues for investigating the Cycle of Atmospheric water), long-term tropospheric water vapour isotopologues data records are provided for ten globally distributed ground-based mid-infrared remote sensing stations of the NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change). We present a new method allowing for an extensive and straightforward characterisation of the complex nature of such isotopologue remote sensing datasets.

The Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) is a ground-based network of Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) sites around the globe, where the column abundances of CO2, CH4, N2O, CO and O2 are measured. CO2 is constrained with a precision better than 5 0.25%. To achieve a similarly high accuracy, calibration to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standards is required. This paper introduces the first aircraft calibration campaign of five European TCCON sites and a mobile FTS instrument.

The Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) is a ground-based network of Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) sites around the globe, where the column abundances of CO2, CH4, N2O, CO and O2 are measured. CO2 is constrained with a precision better than 5 0.25%. To achieve a similarly high accuracy, calibration to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standards is required. This paper introduces the first aircraft calibration campaign of five European TCCON sites and a mobile FTS instrument.

N2 fixation by moss-associated cyanobacteria plays an important role in the nitrogen cycling of terrestrial ecosystems. Recent studies have mainly focused on boreal ecosystems; little is known about such association in other ecosystems. Moss-associated cyanobacteria are subject to rapid changes (hourly or less) in environmental conditions that may affect N2fixation kinetics.

N2 fixation by moss-associated cyanobacteria plays an important role in the nitrogen cycling of terrestrial ecosystems. Recent studies have mainly focused on boreal ecosystems; little is known about such association in other ecosystems. Moss-associated cyanobacteria are subject to rapid changes (hourly or less) in environmental conditions that may affect N2fixation kinetics.

By employing chemical and isotopic tracers (15N and 18O in NO3−), we investigated the main processes controlling nitrate distribution in the unsaturated zone and aquifer. Soil water was extracted from two soil cores drilled in a typical agricultural cropping area of the North China Plain (NCP), where groundwater was also sampled. The results indicate that evaporation and denitrification are the two major causes of the distribution of nitrate in soil water extracts in the unsaturated zone.

The 2010 Arctic Mars Analog Svalbard Expedition (AMASE) investigated two distinct geologic settings on Svalbard, using methodologies and techniques to be deployed on Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). AMASE-related research comprises both analyses conducted during the expedition and further analyses of collected samples using laboratory facilities at a variety of institutions.

The 2010 Arctic Mars Analog Svalbard Expedition (AMASE) investigated two distinct geologic settings on Svalbard, using methodologies and techniques to be deployed on Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). AMASE-related research comprises both analyses conducted during the expedition and further analyses of collected samples using laboratory facilities at a variety of institutions.

We examined potential interferences from water vapor and atmospheric backgroundgases (N2, O2, and Ar), and biases by isotopologues of target species, on accuratemeasurement of atmospheric CO2 and CH4 by means of wavelength-scanned cavity5 ring-down spectroscopy (WS-CRDS). Variations in the composition of the backgroundgas substantially impacted the CO2 and CH4 measurements: the measured amounts ofCO2 and CH4 decreased with increasing N2 mole fraction, but increased with increasing O2 and Ar, suggesting that the pressure-broadening effects (PBEs) increased asAr < O2 < N2.

We examined potential interferences from water vapor and atmospheric backgroundgases (N2, O2, and Ar), and biases by isotopologues of target species, on accuratemeasurement of atmospheric CO2 and CH4 by means of wavelength-scanned cavity5 ring-down spectroscopy (WS-CRDS). Variations in the composition of the backgroundgas substantially impacted the CO2 and CH4 measurements: the measured amounts ofCO2 and CH4 decreased with increasing N2 mole fraction, but increased with increasing O2 and Ar, suggesting that the pressure-broadening effects (PBEs) increased asAr < O2 < N2.

The NorthGRIP ice core chronology GICC05modelext is composed of the annual-layercounted GICC05 chronology to 60 kyr before 2000 AD (b2k), and an ice flow model dating the deepest part of the ice core to 123 kyr b2k. Determination of annual strata in ice5 beyond 60 kyr b2k has been challenged by the thinning of annual layers to < 1 cm andthe appearance of microfolds in some early glacial strata.

The NorthGRIP ice core chronology GICC05modelext is composed of the annual-layercounted GICC05 chronology to 60 kyr before 2000 AD (b2k), and an ice flow model dating the deepest part of the ice core to 123 kyr b2k. Determination of annual strata in ice5 beyond 60 kyr b2k has been challenged by the thinning of annual layers to < 1 cm andthe appearance of microfolds in some early glacial strata.

Mountain–plain transitional landscapes are especially important as groundwater recharge zones. In this study, the oxygen and hydrogen stable isotopic composition (δ18O and δD) of water and hydrochemical information were employed to quantify contribution ratios of different sources of groundwater recharge in the Ashikaga area of central Japan. The study area is situated between the Ashio Mountains and the Kanto Plain, and the Watarase River flows into the region parallel to the mountain–plain boundary.

Mountain–plain transitional landscapes are especially important as groundwater recharge zones. In this study, the oxygen and hydrogen stable isotopic composition (δ18O and δD) of water and hydrochemical information were employed to quantify contribution ratios of different sources of groundwater recharge in the Ashikaga area of central Japan. The study area is situated between the Ashio Mountains and the Kanto Plain, and the Watarase River flows into the region parallel to the mountain–plain boundary.

Long-term time series of the atmospheric composition are essential for environmental research and thus require compatible, multi-decadal monitoring activities. However,the current data quality objectives of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for5 carbon monoxide (CO) in the atmosphere are very challenging to meet with the measurement techniques that have been used until recently. During the past few years, newspectroscopic techniques came on the market with promising properties for trace gasanalytics.

Long-term time series of the atmospheric composition are essential for environmental research and thus require compatible, multi-decadal monitoring activities. However,the current data quality objectives of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for5 carbon monoxide (CO) in the atmosphere are very challenging to meet with the measurement techniques that have been used until recently. During the past few years, newspectroscopic techniques came on the market with promising properties for trace gasanalytics.

The presence of aqueously altered, olivine-rich rocks along with carbonate on Mars suggest that serpentinization may have occurred in the past and may be occurring presently in the subsurface, and possibly contributing methane (CH4) to the martian atmosphere. Serpentinization, the hydration of olivine in ultramafic rocks, yields ultra-basic fluids (pH ⩾ 10) with unique chemistry (i.e. Ca2+–OH− waters) and hydrogen gas, which can support abiogenic production of hydrocarbons (i.e.

The D/H isotope ratio is used to attribute boundary layer humidity changes to the set of contributing fluxes for a case following a snowstorm in which a snow pack of about 10 cm vanished. Profiles of H2O and CO2 mixing ratio, D/H isotope ratio, and several thermodynamic properties were measured from the surface to 300 m every 15 min during four winter days near Boulder, Colorado.

The D/H isotope ratio is used to attribute boundary layer humidity changes to the set of contributing fluxes for a case following a snowstorm in which a snow pack of about 10 cm vanished. Profiles of H2O and CO2 mixing ratio, D/H isotope ratio, and several thermodynamic properties were measured from the surface to 300 m every 15 min during four winter days near Boulder, Colorado.

Combined measurements of salinity and the oxygen/hydrogen stable isotope composition of marine
waters can characterise processes such as freshwater mixing, evaporation, precipitation and sea-ice formation.
However, stable isotope data with high spatial and temporal resolution are necessary for a detailed understanding
of mixed water bodies with multiple inputs. So far analysis of d18O and dD values in water has been a relatively
expensive, laboratory-based technique requiring collection of discrete samples. This has greatly limited the scope and

A 141 m-long ice core was recovered from Combatant  Col (51.385°N, 125.258°W, 3000 m a.s.l.), Mount Waddington, Coast Mountains, British Columbia, Canada.  Records of black carbon, dust, lead, and water stable-isotopes demonstrate that unambiguous seasonality is preserved throughout the core, despite summer surface snowmelt and temperate ice. High accumulation rates at the site (in excess of 4 m a-1ice-equivalent) limit modification of annual stratigraphy by percolation of surface meltwater. The ice-core record spans the period 1973-2010.

A 141 m-long ice core was recovered from Combatant  Col (51.385°N, 125.258°W, 3000 m a.s.l.), Mount Waddington, Coast Mountains, British Columbia, Canada.  Records of black carbon, dust, lead, and water stable-isotopes demonstrate that unambiguous seasonality is preserved throughout the core, despite summer surface snowmelt and temperate ice. High accumulation rates at the site (in excess of 4 m a-1ice-equivalent) limit modification of annual stratigraphy by percolation of surface meltwater. The ice-core record spans the period 1973-2010.

A one hour integrated flask sampling system to collect air in automated NOAA/ESRL12-flask packages is described. The integrating compressor system uses a mass flowcontroller to regulate the flow of air through a 15 l volume, thus providing a mixture of air5 collected over an hour-long period. By beginning with a high flow rate of 3800 standardliters per minute and gradually decreasing the flow rate over time to 290 standardliters per minute it is possible to obtain a nearly uniformly time averaged sample of airand collect it into a pressurized 0.7 l flask.

A one hour integrated flask sampling system to collect air in automated NOAA/ESRL12-flask packages is described. The integrating compressor system uses a mass flowcontroller to regulate the flow of air through a 15 l volume, thus providing a mixture of air5 collected over an hour-long period. By beginning with a high flow rate of 3800 standardliters per minute and gradually decreasing the flow rate over time to 290 standardliters per minute it is possible to obtain a nearly uniformly time averaged sample of airand collect it into a pressurized 0.7 l flask.

There is a close relationship between surface water and groundwater in semi-arid and arid areas of China, and thus researching on the interactions of them is of importance for reasonable water resources development. This paper took Bulang River basin as case study, analysis and discussion were conducted to water chemistry and isotopes tests results of water samples. The results show that surface water in Bulang River basin mainly relies on precipitation recharge, partially on groundwater recharge, the hydrochemistry type of surface water is mainly Ca-HCO3 with low salinity.

Tunable diode laser absorption (TDL) and cavity ring-down spectroscopic (CRDS) sensors for atmospheric  carbon dioxide were co-deployed during summer and fall of 2010 in field and laboratory conditions at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Both sensors were characterized for accuracy and precision for ambient carbon dioxide measurements at ground level and compared using both laboratory and ambient field data.

Tunable diode laser absorption (TDL) and cavity ring-down spectroscopic (CRDS) sensors for atmospheric  carbon dioxide were co-deployed during summer and fall of 2010 in field and laboratory conditions at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Both sensors were characterized for accuracy and precision for ambient carbon dioxide measurements at ground level and compared using both laboratory and ambient field data.

Isotope records of atmospheric CH4 can be used to infer changes in the biochemistry of CH4. One factor limiting quantitative estimates of changes in the biogeochemistry of CH4 are the uncertainties of the isotope measurements due to the lack of a unique isotope reference gas, certified for 13C-CH4 or 2 5 H-CH4.

Isotope records of atmospheric CH4 can be used to infer changes in the biochemistry of CH4. One factor limiting quantitative estimates of changes in the biogeochemistry of CH4 are the uncertainties of the isotope measurements due to the lack of a unique isotope reference gas, certified for 13C-CH4 or 2 5 H-CH4.

The experiment was conducted at twelve grazing plots denoting four treatments defined along a grazing gradient with three replications: non-grazing (0 sheep/ha, NG), light grazing (0.75 sheep/ha, LG), moderate grazing (1.50 sheep/ha, MG) and heavy grazing (2.25 sheep/ha, HG). Using an automatic cavity ring-down spectrophotometer, we measured CH4 fluxes from March 1 to April 29 in 2010 and March 2 to April 27 in 2011.

The experiment was conducted at twelve grazing plots denoting four treatments defined along a grazing gradient with three replications: non-grazing (0 sheep/ha, NG), light grazing (0.75 sheep/ha, LG), moderate grazing (1.50 sheep/ha, MG) and heavy grazing (2.25 sheep/ha, HG). Using an automatic cavity ring-down spectrophotometer, we measured CH4 fluxes from March 1 to April 29 in 2010 and March 2 to April 27 in 2011.

A new technique for the satellite remote sensing of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere via the absorption of short-wave infrared laser signals transmitted between counter-rotating satellites in low earth orbit has recently been proposed; this would enable the acquisition of a stable, global set of altitude-resolved concentration measurements.

A new technique for the satellite remote sensing of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere via the absorption of short-wave infrared laser signals transmitted between counter-rotating satellites in low earth orbit has recently been proposed; this would enable the acquisition of a stable, global set of altitude-resolved concentration measurements.

Hydrogen isotope ratios in lipids derived from mangroves have the potential to be used for paleohydrologic reconstructions and could serve as a much needed tool for establishing past climate variability in the tropics. We assessed the effect of salinity on the apparent fractionation factor, αa, between mangrove derived n-alkanes and their source water for Avicennia marina (gray mangrove) specimens collected along a 28 PSU salinity gradient in the Brisbane River Estuary.

Attributing observed CO2 variations to human or natural cause is critical to deducing and tracking emissions from observations. We have used in situ CO2, CO, and planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) measurements recorded during the CalNex-LA (CARB et al., 2008) ground campaign of 15 May–15 June 2010, in Pasadena, CA, to deduce the diurnally varying anthropogenic component of observed CO2 in the megacity of Los Angeles (LA).

Attributing observed CO2 variations to human or natural cause is critical to deducing and tracking emissions from observations. We have used in situ CO2, CO, and planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) measurements recorded during the CalNex-LA (CARB et al., 2008) ground campaign of 15 May–15 June 2010, in Pasadena, CA, to deduce the diurnally varying anthropogenic component of observed CO2 in the megacity of Los Angeles (LA).

The lapse rate of water isotopes is used in the study of the hydrologic cycle as well as in the estimation of uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. The greater elevation contrast in the southern Himalayas allows for a detailed discussion about this lapse rate. We analyze variations of δ 18O in precipitation and river water between 1320 m and 6700 m elevations in the southern Himalayas, and calculate the specific lapse rate of water δ 18O.

The lapse rate of water isotopes is used in the study of the hydrologic cycle as well as in the estimation of uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. The greater elevation contrast in the southern Himalayas allows for a detailed discussion about this lapse rate. We analyze variations of δ 18O in precipitation and river water between 1320 m and 6700 m elevations in the southern Himalayas, and calculate the specific lapse rate of water δ 18O.