A new isotopic nitrous oxide (N2O) analyzer has been introduced by Los Gatos Research (LGR).
It is the first device that directly measures ratios of 18O and site-specific 15N in N2O in atmosphere and the mole fraction of N2O. Site-specific 15N indicates that it is possible to determine ratios of ä15N for both the alpha and beta sites present in the nitrous oxide molecule. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) is a traditional process for getting stable ratios of isotope from captured samples in the laboratory. The new analyzer from LGR is portable and does not utilize any consumables. Sample pre-concentration is not necessary and also skilled operators are not required for the device. The company’s new analyzer can measure separate volume samples by means of syringe injection and can record data from the air samples, which flow continuously. It can be used for unmanned operation in far areas for a long period and offers sensitivity and precision.
N2O is a significant greenhouse gas and can be produced through biofuel combustion. Researchers can better understand about the artificial factors that affect the climate change, environment and the nitrogen cycle, by determining the traces of N2O concentrations and its isotopic signatures.
According to Oregon State University’s Professor Jeffrey McDonnell, stable isotope ratios are very valuable as same as source trackers. He said that the university’s water cycle studies have been utilizing LGR’s isotopic water analyzer in order to carry out in situ high-frequency measurements on stream flow and rainfall at far sires. Extending the potential of this type of turn-key measurement for N2O will certainly provide significant insights to the nitrogen cycle, he added.
LGR’s patented Off-axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (OA-ICOS) technology is used in the company’s precision isotope and gas analyzers.