Greenhouse gas stable isotopes for investigating the carbon cycle

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The global climate is directly related to the Earth's carbon (C) cycle, which includes major C sources and sinks. The capacity to accurately determine emission and capture processes of greenhouse gases (GHG), especially the mechanisms of CO2 and CH4 emissions from aquatic and terrestrial systems, is crucial in evolving our understanding of how Earth's systems adsorb and release carbon. In this context, we seek funds to purchase a dual carbon isotope analyzer that enables in situ and simultaneous analysis of 13C in CO2 and CH4. This type of analyzer is commonly equipped with the highly-sensitive cavity ring-down laser absorption spectroscopy technology to determine the mole fractions of 13C and 12C. The proposed equipment is needed for projects funded by three NSERC Discovery grants and Canada Research Chair, to tackle the C cycle in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and assess novel solutions to mitigate GHG emissions from agroecosystems, wetlands, rice paddy fields, and mining sites. Specifically, the instrument enables the exploration into the mechanisms of GHG emission from environmental settings by evaluating C mineralization, microbial C use efficiency, impacts of climatic events and regenerative vs. conventional agricultural management. Besides, the isotope information advances current projects on negative emissions technologies through CO2 sequestration at mine sites and enhanced mineral weathering in agricultural soils. The flexibility in instrument configuration is unique and allows extensive training opportunities to higly qualified personnel (HQP), who will receive training in isotope fractionation theory, laser absorption spectroscopy, sample preparation, instrument use, data interpretation, quality control and quality assurance. The applied focus of this research, i.e., climate change mitigation and C capture technologies, offers globally impactful projects to a new generation of environmental scientists. The knowledge facilitates the decision process for more effective climate policy and actions, especially for Canada's roadmap to meet its Paris Agreement targets, e.g. Canada's Methane Strategy, 2030 Emissions Reduction and 2050 Net-Zero Emissions plans.