thesis:bag_im_intercomp_2 [Hydro-Wiki ]

Problemstellung

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 vapor equilibration method or in-situ isotope probe measurements of water vapor isotopic composition. However, latest studies have shown that organics, co-extracted through the applied methods, can considerably affect the accuracy of the isotope analysis.

Ziel der Arbeit

Here, we aim to investigate and compare the potential of the vapor equilibration technique and in-situ water vapor isotope measurements with regard to food water analysis. The null hypothesis guiding this work would be that water vapor isotope analysis methods are similarly affected by co-extracted organic compounds. We aim to test this hypothesis by analyzing different foodstuff’s isotopic composition.

Methode

The work will mainly be lab-based and includes water extractions from previously sampled foodstuff. Isotope analysis will be conducted at our lab. Isotope results should be intercompared between the two methods and for the impact of organics on the isotope results.