Online ¹³C and ¹⁴C Gas Measurements by EA-IRMS–AMS at ETH Zürich

Abstract

Abstract Studies using carbon isotopes to understand the global carbon cycle are critical to identify and quantify sources, sinks, and processes and how humans may impact them. 13 C and 14 C are routinely measured individually; however, there is a need to develop instrumentation that can perform concurrent online analyses that can generate rich data sets conveniently and efficiently. To satisfy these requirements, we coupled an elemental analyzer to a stable isotope mass spectrometer and an accelerator mass spectrometer system fitted with a gas ion source. We first tested the system with standard materials and then reanalyzed a sediment core from the Bay of Bengal that had been analyzed for 14 C by conventional methods. The system was able to produce %C, 13 C, and 14 C data that were accurate and precise, and suitable for the purposes of our biogeochemistry group. The system was compact and convenient and is appropriate for use in a range of fields of research.