The isotopic fingerprint of the pre-industrial and the anthropogenic N 2 O source

• Main Authors: T. Röckmann, J. Kaiser, C. A. M. Brenninkmeijer
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2003
• Subjects: Physics; QC1-999; Chemistry; QD1-999; Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/09a5e0618c524fa2a92cabee1be8eca3

We have performed high-precision measurements of the 18 O and position dependent 15 N isotopic composition of N 2 O from Antarctic firn air samples. By comparing these data to simulations carried out with a firn air diffusion model, we have reconstructed the temporal evolution of the N 2 O isotope signatures since pre-industrial times. The heavy isotope content of atmospheric N 2 O is presently decreasing for all signatures at rates of about -0.038 %o yr -1 for 1 d 15 N, -0.046 %o yr -1 for 2 d 15 N and -0.025 %o yr -1 for d 18 O. The total decrease since pre-industrial times is estimated to be about -1.8%o for 1 d 15 N at both positions and -2.2%o for 2 d 15 N. Isotope budget calculations using these trends and recent stratospheric measurements allow to isotopically characterize the present and the pre-industrial global average N 2 O source, as well as the additional N 2 O emissions that have caused the global N 2 O increase since pre-industrial times. The increased fluxes from the depleted surface sources alone are insufficient to explain the inferred temporal isotope changes. In addition, the global average N 2 O source signature is calculated to be significantly depleted today relative to the pre-industrial value, in agreement with recent indications from soil emission measurements.