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Title: Efficacy of passive sampler collection for atmospheric NO 2 isotopes under simulated environmental conditions

Abstract

Rationale Nitrogen oxides or NO x (NO x = NO + NO 2 ) play an important role in air quality, atmospheric chemistry, and climate. The isotopic compositions of anthropogenic and natural NO 2 sources are wide‐ranging, and they can be used to constrain sources of ambient NO 2 and associated atmospheric deposition of nitrogen compounds. While passive sample collection of NO 2 isotopes has been used in field studies to determine NO x source influences on atmospheric deposition, this approach has not been evaluated for accuracy or precision under different environmental conditions. Methods The efficacy of NO 2 passive sampler collection for NO 2 isotopes was evaluated under varied temperature and relative humidity (RH) conditions in a dynamic flux chamber. The precision and accuracy of the filter NO 2 collection as nitrite (NO 2 ) for isotopic analysis were determined using a reference NO 2 gas tank and through inter‐calibration with a modified EPA Method 7. The bacterial denitrifer method was used to convert 20 μM of collected NO 2 or nitrate (NO 3 ) into N 2 O and was carried out on an Isoprime continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Results δ 15 N‐NOmore » 2 values determined from passive NO 2 collection, in conditions of 11–34 °C, 1–78% RH, have an overall accuracy and precision of ±2.1 ‰, and individual run precision of ±0.6 ‰. δ 18 O‐NO 2 values obtained from passive NO 2 sampler collection, under the same conditions, have an overall precision of ± 1.3 ‰. Conclusions Suitable conditions for passive sampler collection of NO 2 isotopes are in environments ranging from 11 to 34 °C and 1 to 78% RH. The passive NO 2 isotope measurement technique provides an accurate method to determine variations in atmospheric δ 15 N‐NO 2 values and a precise method for determining atmospheric δ 18 O‐NO 2 values. The ability to measure NO 2 isotopes over spatial gradients at the same temporal resolution provides a unique perspective on the extent and seasonality of fluctuations in atmospheric NO 2 isotopic compositions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.« less

Authors:
ORCiD logo [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Department of Geology and Environmental Science University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh PA 15260 USA
Publication Date:
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1401899
Resource Type:
Publisher's Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry Journal Volume: 31 Journal Issue: 14; Journal ID: ISSN 0951-4198
Publisher:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Coughlin, Justin G., Yu, Zhongjie, and Elliott, Emily M. Efficacy of passive sampler collection for atmospheric NO 2 isotopes under simulated environmental conditions. United Kingdom: N. p., 2017. Web. doi:10.1002/rcm.7885.
Coughlin, Justin G., Yu, Zhongjie, & Elliott, Emily M. Efficacy of passive sampler collection for atmospheric NO 2 isotopes under simulated environmental conditions. United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.7885
Coughlin, Justin G., Yu, Zhongjie, and Elliott, Emily M. Sun . "Efficacy of passive sampler collection for atmospheric NO 2 isotopes under simulated environmental conditions". United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.7885.
@article{osti_1401899,
title = {Efficacy of passive sampler collection for atmospheric NO 2 isotopes under simulated environmental conditions},
author = {Coughlin, Justin G. and Yu, Zhongjie and Elliott, Emily M.},
abstractNote = {Rationale Nitrogen oxides or NO x (NO x = NO + NO 2 ) play an important role in air quality, atmospheric chemistry, and climate. The isotopic compositions of anthropogenic and natural NO 2 sources are wide‐ranging, and they can be used to constrain sources of ambient NO 2 and associated atmospheric deposition of nitrogen compounds. While passive sample collection of NO 2 isotopes has been used in field studies to determine NO x source influences on atmospheric deposition, this approach has not been evaluated for accuracy or precision under different environmental conditions. Methods The efficacy of NO 2 passive sampler collection for NO 2 isotopes was evaluated under varied temperature and relative humidity (RH) conditions in a dynamic flux chamber. The precision and accuracy of the filter NO 2 collection as nitrite (NO 2 – ) for isotopic analysis were determined using a reference NO 2 gas tank and through inter‐calibration with a modified EPA Method 7. The bacterial denitrifer method was used to convert 20 μM of collected NO 2 – or nitrate (NO 3 – ) into N 2 O and was carried out on an Isoprime continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Results δ 15 N‐NO 2 values determined from passive NO 2 collection, in conditions of 11–34 °C, 1–78% RH, have an overall accuracy and precision of ±2.1 ‰, and individual run precision of ±0.6 ‰. δ 18 O‐NO 2 values obtained from passive NO 2 sampler collection, under the same conditions, have an overall precision of ± 1.3 ‰. Conclusions Suitable conditions for passive sampler collection of NO 2 isotopes are in environments ranging from 11 to 34 °C and 1 to 78% RH. The passive NO 2 isotope measurement technique provides an accurate method to determine variations in atmospheric δ 15 N‐NO 2 values and a precise method for determining atmospheric δ 18 O‐NO 2 values. The ability to measure NO 2 isotopes over spatial gradients at the same temporal resolution provides a unique perspective on the extent and seasonality of fluctuations in atmospheric NO 2 isotopic compositions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.},
doi = {10.1002/rcm.7885},
journal = {Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry},
number = 14,
volume = 31,
place = {United Kingdom},
year = {Sun Jun 18 00:00:00 EDT 2017},
month = {Sun Jun 18 00:00:00 EDT 2017}
}

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https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.7885

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