TY - JOUR
T1 - Analytical system for stable carbon isotope measurements of low molecular weight (C2-C6) hydrocarbons
AU - Zuiderweg, A.T.
AU - Holzinger, R.
AU - Roeckmann, T.
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - We present setup, testing and initial results from
a new automated system for stable carbon isotope ratio measurements
on C2 to C6 atmospheric hydrocarbons. The inlet
system allows analysis of trace gases from air samples ranging
from a few liters for urban samples and samples with high
mixing ratios, to many tens of liters for samples from remote
unpolluted regions with very low mixing ratios. The centerpiece
of the sample preparation is the separation trap, which
is used to separate CO2 and methane from the compounds of
interest. The main features of the system are (i) the capability
to sample up to 300 l of air, (ii) long term (since May 2009)
operational δ13C accuracy levels in the range 0.3–0.8‰ (1-
σ), and (iii) detection limits of order 1.5–2.5 ngC (collected
amount of substance) for all reported compounds.
The first application of this system was the analysis of
21 ambient air samples taken during 48 h in August 2009
in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Results obtained are generally
in good agreement with those from similar urban ambient
air studies. Short sample intervals allowed by the design
of the instrument help to illustrate the complex diurnal behavior
of hydrocarbons in an urban environment, where diverse
sources, dynamical processes, and chemical reactions
are present.
AB - We present setup, testing and initial results from
a new automated system for stable carbon isotope ratio measurements
on C2 to C6 atmospheric hydrocarbons. The inlet
system allows analysis of trace gases from air samples ranging
from a few liters for urban samples and samples with high
mixing ratios, to many tens of liters for samples from remote
unpolluted regions with very low mixing ratios. The centerpiece
of the sample preparation is the separation trap, which
is used to separate CO2 and methane from the compounds of
interest. The main features of the system are (i) the capability
to sample up to 300 l of air, (ii) long term (since May 2009)
operational δ13C accuracy levels in the range 0.3–0.8‰ (1-
σ), and (iii) detection limits of order 1.5–2.5 ngC (collected
amount of substance) for all reported compounds.
The first application of this system was the analysis of
21 ambient air samples taken during 48 h in August 2009
in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Results obtained are generally
in good agreement with those from similar urban ambient
air studies. Short sample intervals allowed by the design
of the instrument help to illustrate the complex diurnal behavior
of hydrocarbons in an urban environment, where diverse
sources, dynamical processes, and chemical reactions
are present.
U2 - 10.5194/amt-4-1161-2011
DO - 10.5194/amt-4-1161-2011
M3 - Article
SN - 1867-1381
VL - 4
SP - 1161
EP - 1175
JO - Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
JF - Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
ER -