Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/cpd-4-149-2008
https://doi.org/10.5194/cpd-4-149-2008
08 Feb 2008
 | 08 Feb 2008
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal CP but the revision was not accepted.

An improved method for delta 15N measurements in ice cores

F. S. Mani, P. Dennis, W. T. Sturges, R. Mulvaney, and M. Leuenberger

Abstract. The use of isotopic ratios of nitrogen gas (δ15N) trapped in ice cores as a paleothermometer to characterise abrupt climate changes is becoming a widespread technique. The versatility of the technique could be enhanced, for instance in quantifying small temperature changes during the last glacial period in Antarctic ice cores, by using high precision methods. In this paper, we outline a method for measuring δ15N to a precision of 0.006\permil (1σ, n=9) from replicate ice core samples. The high precision results from removing oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour from the air extracted from ice cores. The advantage of the technique is that it does not involve correction for isobaric interference due to CO+ ions. We also highlight the importance of oxygen removal from the sample, and how it influences δ15N measurements. The results show that a small amount of oxygen in the sample can be detrimental to achieving an optimum precision in δ15N measurements of atmospheric nitrogen trapped ice core samples.

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.
F. S. Mani, P. Dennis, W. T. Sturges, R. Mulvaney, and M. Leuenberger
 
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Status: closed
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Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
F. S. Mani, P. Dennis, W. T. Sturges, R. Mulvaney, and M. Leuenberger
F. S. Mani, P. Dennis, W. T. Sturges, R. Mulvaney, and M. Leuenberger

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