Isotopic Forced-Diffusion Technique for Soil Respiration Studies

Isotopic ratio measurements of soil-respired CO2 can provide a wealth of insight into soil-level carbon-cycle processes that is not available using bulk CO2 emission measurements alone. Soil contains substantial amounts of carbon, and can contribute CO2 to the atmosphere through various respiration pathways. Isotopic analysis can distinguish autotrophic root and rhizosphere respiration from heterotrophic respiration due to the catabolism of soil organic matter (SOM). Because of this, researchers have shifted their efforts toward the use of natural abundance and tracer isotopic techniques in ecosystem respiration studies. However, recent experimental and theoretical evidence indicates that these traditional techniques yield biased estimates of the soil isotopic flux, largely owing to disturbances to the soil's natural diffusive regime. To help eliminate these biases, we have developed a new technique called Isotopic Forced-Diffusion (IsoFD). The Isotopic Forced-Diffusion technique integrates a Forced Diffusion dynamic chamber with a cavity ringdown spectrometer measuring d13C-CO2, which are operated together as an integrated system. The system produces real-time, high temporal resolution isotopic soil efflux data. Here, we will present the theory behind this technique, present laboratory data demonstrating the accuracy and precision of the technique in controlled environments and finally field data from two campaigns, showing the ability of the Iso-FD chamber to detect natural diurnal changes in isotopic signature as well as differentiate sources in C3-C4 transitional systems.