scholarly journals The chlorine isotopic composition of Martian meteorites 1: Chlorine isotope composition of Martian mantle and crustal reservoirs and their interactions

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 2092-2110 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. Williams ◽  
C. K. Shearer ◽  
Z. D. Sharp ◽  
P. V. Burger ◽  
F. M. McCubbin ◽  
...  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 2111-2126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Sharp ◽  
Jeffrey Williams ◽  
Charles Shearer ◽  
Carl Agee ◽  
Kevin McKeegan

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 6867-6877 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Allin ◽  
J. C. Laube ◽  
E. Witrant ◽  
J. Kaiser ◽  
E. McKenna ◽  
...  

Abstract. The stratospheric degradation of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) releases chlorine, which is a major contributor to the destruction of stratospheric ozone (O3). A recent study reported strong chlorine isotope fractionation during the breakdown of the most abundant CFC (CFC-12, CCl2F2, Laube et al., 2010a), similar to effects seen in nitrous oxide (N2O). Using air archives to obtain a long-term record of chlorine isotope ratios in CFCs could help to identify and quantify their sources and sinks. We analyse the three most abundant CFCs and show that CFC-11 (CCl3F) and CFC-113 (CClF2CCl2F) exhibit significant stratospheric chlorine isotope fractionation, in common with CFC-12. The apparent isotope fractionation (ϵapp) for mid- and high-latitude stratospheric samples are respectively −2.4 (0.5) and −2.3 (0.4) ‰ for CFC-11, −12.2 (1.6) and −6.8 (0.8) ‰ for CFC-12 and −3.5 (1.5) and −3.3 (1.2) ‰ for CFC-113, where the number in parentheses is the numerical value of the standard uncertainty expressed in per mil. Assuming a constant isotope composition of emissions, we calculate the expected trends in the tropospheric isotope signature of these gases based on their stratospheric 37Cl enrichment and stratosphere–troposphere exchange. We compare these projections to the long-term δ (37Cl) trends of all three CFCs, measured on background tropospheric samples from the Cape Grim air archive (Tasmania, 1978–2010) and tropospheric firn air samples from Greenland (North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) site) and Antarctica (Fletcher Promontory site). From 1970 to the present day, projected trends agree with tropospheric measurements, suggesting that within analytical uncertainties, a constant average emission isotope delta (δ) is a compatible scenario. The measurement uncertainty is too high to determine whether the average emission isotope δ has been affected by changes in CFC manufacturing processes or not. Our study increases the suite of trace gases amenable to direct isotope ratio measurements in small air volumes (approximately 200 mL), using a single-detector gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) system.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (23) ◽  
pp. 31813-31841
Author(s):  
S. J. Allin ◽  
J. C. Laube ◽  
E. Witrant ◽  
J. Kaiser ◽  
E. McKenna ◽  
...  

Abstract. The stratospheric degradation of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) releases chlorine, which is a major contributor to the destruction of stratospheric ozone (O3). A recent study reported strong chlorine isotope fractionation during the breakdown of the most abundant CFC (CFC-12, CCl2F2), similar to effects seen in nitrous oxide (N2O). Using air archives to obtain a long-term record of chlorine isotope ratios in CFCs could help to identify and quantify their sources and sinks. We analyse the three most abundant CFCs and show that CFC-11 (CCl3F) and CFC-113 (CClF2CCl2F) exhibit significant stratospheric chlorine isotope fractionation, in common with CFC-12. The apparent isotope fractionation (ϵapp) for mid- and high-latitude stratospheric samples are (−2.4 ± 0.5) and (−2.3 ± 0.4)‰ for CFC-11, (−12.2 ± 1.6) and (−6.8 ± 0.8)‰ for CFC-12 and (−3.5 ± 1.5) and (−3.3 ± 1.2)‰ for CFC-113, respectively. Assuming a constant source isotope composition, we estimate the expected trends in the tropospheric isotope signature of these gases due to their stratospheric 37Cl enrichment and stratosphere–troposphere exchange. We compare these model results to the long-term δ(37Cl) trends of all three CFCs, measured on background tropospheric samples from the Cape Grim air archive (Tasmania, 1978–2010) and tropospheric firn air samples from Greenland (NEEM site) and Antarctica (Fletcher Promontory site). Model trends agree with tropospheric measurements within analytical uncertainties. From 1970 to the present-day, we find no evidence for variations in chlorine isotope ratios associated with changes in CFC manufacturing processes. Our study increases the suite of trace gases amenable to direct isotope ratio measurements in small air volumes, using a single-detector gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 6051-6088 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Deek ◽  
K. Emeis ◽  
U. Struck

Abstract. Nitrate loading of coastal ecosystems by rivers that drain industrialised catchments continues to be a problem in the South Eastern North Sea, in spite of significant mitigation efforts over the last 2 decades. To identify nitrate sources, sinks, and turnover in three German rivers that discharge into the German Bight, we determined δ 15N-NO3- and δ18O- NO3- in nitrate and δ 15N of particulate nitrogen for the period 2006–2009 (biweekly samples). The nitrate loads of Rhine, Weser and Ems varied seasonally in magnitude and δ 15N-NO3- (6.5–21‰), whereas the δ 18O-NO3- (-0.3–5.9‰) and δ 15N-PN (4–14‰) were less variable. Overall temporal patterns in nitrate mass fluxes and isotopic composition suggest that a combination of nitrate delivery from nitrification of soil ammonia in the catchment and assimilation of nitrate in the rivers control the isotopic composition of nitrate. Nitrification in soils as a source is indicated by low δ 18O-NO3- in winter, which traces the δ 18O of river water. Mean values of δ 18O-H2O were between –9.4‰ and –7.3‰; combined in a ratio of 2:1 with the atmospheric oxygen δ 18O of 23.5‰ agrees with the found δ 18O of nitrate in the rivers. Parallel variations of δ 15N-NO3- and δ 18O-NO3- within each individual river are caused by isotope effects associated with nitrate assimilation in the water column, the extent of which is determined by residence time in the river. Assimilation is furthermore to some extent mirrored both by the δ 15N of nitrate and particulate N. Although δ 15-NO3- observed in Rhine, Weser and Ems are reflected in high average δ 15N-PN (between 6‰ and 9‰, both are uncorrelated in the time series due to lateral and temporal mixing of PN. That a larger enrichment was consistently seen in δ 15N-NO3- relative to δ 18O-NO3- is attributed to constant additional diffuse nitrate inputs deriving from soil nitrification in the catchment area. A statistically significant inverse correlation exists between increasing δ 15N-NO3- values and decreasing NO3- concentrations. This inverse relationship – observed in each seasonal cycle – together with a robust relationship between human dominated land use and δ 15N-NO3- values demonstrates a strong influence of human activities and riverine nitrate consumption efficiency on the isotopic composition of riverine nitrate.


Science ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 319 (5869) ◽  
pp. 1518-1520 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bonifacie ◽  
N. Jendrzejewski ◽  
P. Agrinier ◽  
E. Humler ◽  
M. Coleman ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon V. Hohl

<p>Cadmium (Cd) and isotope systematics are emerging tools for studying the biogeochemical cycling of micronutrients in the oceans, and sedimentary archives, as Cd concentrations in seawater show a nutrient-like behaviour, with surface depletion and deep water enrichments. However, the underlying processes are yet to be fully understood. The Cd concentration and isotopic composition of seawater are set by the balance of Cd inputs (and their isotopic composition) and the fractionation on removal to sedimentary sinks. The most favoured explanation is the Cd utilisation by marine phototrophic biomass, causing the surface water’s dissolved Cd pool depletion creating a depth gradient of increasing Cd concentrations and lighter isotopic compositions. Under incomplete oxidative recycling, organic matter may act as an effective Cd sink and authigenic minerals may store the ambient seawater’s Cd isotope composition.</p><p>Consequently, stable Cd isotope compositions in marine carbonates show broad variations linked to paleo-productivity and redox state changes. Additional fractionation processes govern the Cd isotopic compositions of marine sediments. Besides biological utilisation, experimental Cd partitioning into authigenic calcites or sulphides under variable redox and salinity conditions has been shown.  Therefore, when applying Cd isotopes in carbonates, other geochemical proxies must be evaluated very carefully to understand the involved Cd fractionation processes. This presentation aims to present the status quo of research done on authigenic and biologic carbonates and carbonate leachates in carbonatic shales to show the strengths and pitfalls of this new emerging bio-geoscience isotope proxy and its use for paleoenvironmental reconstructions on Earth and beyond.</p><p> </p><p> </p>


2006 ◽  
Vol 361 (1474) ◽  
pp. 1715-1720 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Anand ◽  
S.S Russell ◽  
R.L Blackhurst ◽  
M.M Grady

Recent spacecraft and lander missions to Mars have reinforced previous interpretations that Mars was a wet and warm planet in the geological past. The role of liquid water in shaping many of the surface features on Mars has long been recognized. Since the presence of liquid water is essential for survival of life, conditions on early Mars might have been more favourable for the emergence and evolution of life. Until a sample return mission to Mars, one of the ways of studying the past environmental conditions on Mars is through chemical and isotopic studies of Martian meteorites. Over 35 individual meteorite samples, believed to have originated on Mars, are now available for lab-based studies. Fe is a key element that is present in both primary and secondary minerals in the Martian meteorites. Fe-isotope ratios can be fractionated by low-temperature processes which includes biological activity. Experimental investigations of Fe reduction and oxidation by bacteria have produced large fractionation in Fe-isotope ratios. Hence, it is considered likely that if there is/were any form of life present on Mars then it might be possible to detect its signature by Fe-isotope studies of Martian meteorites. In the present study, we have analysed a number of Martian meteorites for their bulk-Fe-isotope composition. In addition, a set of terrestrial analogue material has also been analysed to compare the results and draw inferences. So far, our studies have not found any measurable Fe-isotopic fractionation in bulk Martian meteorites that can be ascribed to any low-temperature process operative on Mars.


2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D. Taylor ◽  
Debashish Mazumder

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were analysed for hatchery-reared, recaptured and wild mulloway, Argyrosomus japonicus, to investigate temporal and growth-related changes in isotopic composition for stocked fish after release, and to evaluate changes in isotopic composition in terms of ontogenetic dietary switches. δ13C and δ15N values decreased and increased, respectively, after release. The isotope composition of released fish was distinct from wild fish until 200 days after release, but after 200 days post-release fish did not differ significantly from wild fish of similar or greater sizes. Abrupt dietary transitions from crustaceans to teleost fish (>50 cm total length (TL)) were evident in a rapid δ13C and δ15N change in wild mulloway, and δ15N was significantly greater in wild fish >65 cm TL compared with wild fish <50 cm TL. Multivariate carbon and nitrogen isotopic data were suitable for separating stocked and wild fish for up to 200 days after release, but did not separate wild fish grouped according to dietary composition. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition closely reflected dietary transitions and rapid adaptation by stocked mulloway to wild diets, which was evident in a high tissue turnover rate of up to 0.017 day–1. Stable isotopes are a useful tool for examining the integration of released fish into stocked ecosystems and can be used to describe convergence in the diets of wild and released fish.


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