In order to understand from which soil water pool plants take up their water, we need to have a sound understanding of the interactions between water (mobile and tightly bounded) and the soil compartment. Stable water isotopes (2H and 18O) are a common tool to investigate processes occurring at the soil-plant-atmosphere interface. A variety of in-situ and lab-based water extraction methods for the analysis of the stable isotopes of water now exist. While some methods have been used for decades others are relatively new, such as the direct vapour equilibration or the “induction module” by Picarro®. However, latest studies have shown that the extraction method we apply to obtain water from plant or soil samples for isotope analysis is significantly affecting our results.

Here, we aim to intercompare different lab-based water extraction methods. The null hypothesis guiding this work would be that all extraction methods yield the same water isotopic composition independently from the type of plant material.

The work will mainly be lab-based and includes water extractions from previously sampled plant materials. Isotope analysis will be conducted at our lab and isotope results should be intercompared between the different methods.

Laborarbeit, Statistik, Kreativität

Natalie Orlowski, Barbara Herbstritt

Dr. Natalie Orlowski: natalie.orlowski@hydrology.uni-freiburg.de; Tel. 0761 – 203 9283

Dr. Barbara Herbstritt: barbara.herbstritt@hydrology.uni-freiburg.de; Tel. 0761 - 203 3539

Deutsch/Englisch

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