Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2024-43
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2024-43
01 Jul 2024
 | 01 Jul 2024
Status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal AMT.

An easy-to-use water vapor sampling approach for stable isotope analysis using affordable membrane valve multi-foil bags

Adrian Dahlmann, John D. Marshall, David Dubbert, Mathias Hoffmann, and Maren Dubbert

Abstract. Water-stable isotopes are commonly used in hydrological and ecological research. Until now, measurements were obtained either by taking a destructive sample in the field (such as a soil or plant sample) and extracting its water in the laboratory, or by directly measuring it in the field using semi-permeable membranes. These methods, however, present challenges in achieving high-resolution measurements across multiple sites since they require significant effort and resources. Gasbag sampling offers the advantage of non-destructive, cost-efficient, easy to perform, in-situ measurements without the need to bring a Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) analyzer into the field. Gas permeable membranes (GPM) were utilized to extract samples of water vapor from the soil, which were then stored in specialized gas bags (multi-layer foil bags). The bags were tested using laboratory isotope standards for their maximum storage time, potential memory effects, and reusability. To demonstrate their applicability in field experiments, in-situ measurements using gas bags were compared to measurements directly connecting a water stable isotope laser. The storage experiment demonstrated the ability to store water vapor samples for up to seven days while maintaining acceptable results for δ2H and δ18O, although the relative uncertainty was higher for δ18O. A “Memory experiment” revealed that reusing bags can lead to previous samples influencing subsequent ones. The experiment on “Combined storage and memory” showed that the duration of storage increases the effect on memory. The field experiment demonstrated an overall measurement precision of 0.23 ± 0.84 for δ18O [‰] and 0.94 ± 2.69 for δ2H [‰] using the gas bags. Together, laboratory and field experiments confirmed that the proposed water vapor sampling system and procedure for stable water isotope analyses using GPM and re-usable gas bags is a simple, cost-effective, and versatile approach allowing for various applications. We were able to demonstrate that both 1) storage is possible, and that 2) gas bags can be reused, since memory effects caused by previous samples can be prevented by appropriate treatment. This makes the gas bags suited for field collection of water vapor samples for many applications.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Adrian Dahlmann, John D. Marshall, David Dubbert, Mathias Hoffmann, and Maren Dubbert

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on amt-2024-43', Anonymous Referee #1, 29 Jul 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Adrian Dahlmann, 03 Sep 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on amt-2024-43', Anonymous Referee #2, 04 Aug 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Adrian Dahlmann, 03 Sep 2024
  • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Adrian Dahlmann, 03 Sep 2024
Adrian Dahlmann, John D. Marshall, David Dubbert, Mathias Hoffmann, and Maren Dubbert
Adrian Dahlmann, John D. Marshall, David Dubbert, Mathias Hoffmann, and Maren Dubbert

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Short summary
Water-stable isotopes are commonly used in hydrological and ecological research. Until now, measurements were obtained either destructive or directly in the field. Here, we present a novel, affordable, and easy-to-use approach to measure the stable isotope signatures of soil water. Our gas bag approach demonstrates a high accuracy and extends the usability by allowing water vapor samples to be collected and stored in the field without the need for an instrument or a permanent power supply.