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CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE USING A ZEOLITE MOLECULAR SIEVE SAMPLING SYSTEM FOR ISOTOPIC STUDIES (13C AND 14C) OF RESPIRATION
Abstract
A method for collecting an isotopically representative sample of CO2 from an air stream using a zeolite molecular
sieve is described. A robust sampling system was designed and developed for use in the field that includes reusable
molecular sieve cartridges, a lightweight pump, and a portable infrared gas analyzer (IRGA). The system was tested using
international isotopic standards (13C and 14C). Results showed that CO2 could be trapped and recovered for both d13C and 14C
analysis by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), respectively, without any contamination,
fractionation, or memory effect. The system was primarily designed for use in carbon isotope studies of ecosystem
respiration, with potential for use in other applications that require CO2 collection from air.
sieve is described. A robust sampling system was designed and developed for use in the field that includes reusable
molecular sieve cartridges, a lightweight pump, and a portable infrared gas analyzer (IRGA). The system was tested using
international isotopic standards (13C and 14C). Results showed that CO2 could be trapped and recovered for both d13C and 14C
analysis by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), respectively, without any contamination,
fractionation, or memory effect. The system was primarily designed for use in carbon isotope studies of ecosystem
respiration, with potential for use in other applications that require CO2 collection from air.