Index Geophysics

The isotopic fingerprint of the pre-industrial and the anthropogenic N2O source

We have performed high-precision measurements of the ¹⁸O and position dependent ¹⁵N isotopic composition of N₂O 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 N₂O isotope signatures since pre-industrial times. The heavy isotope content of atmospheric N₂O is presently decreasing for all signatures at rates of about -0.038 %o yr ^-1 for ¹<font face="Symbol">d</font>¹⁵N, -0.046 %o yr ^-1 for ²<font face="Symbol">d</font> ¹⁵N and -0.025 %o yr ^-1 for <font face="Symbol">d</font>¹⁸O. The total decrease since pre-industrial times is estimated to be about -1.8%o for ¹<font face="Symbol">d</font>¹⁵N at both positions and -2.2%o for ²<font face="Symbol">d</font>¹⁵N. Isotope budget calculations using these trends and recent stratospheric measurements allow to isotopically characterize the present and the pre-industrial global average N₂O source, as well as the additional N₂O emissions that have caused the global N₂O 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 N₂O source signature is calculated to be significantly depleted today relative to the pre-industrial value, in agreement with recent indications from soil emission measurements.

Röckmann, T.

Kaiser, J.

Brenninkmeijer, C. A. M.

2018-06-29

Text

application/pdf

10.5194/acp-3-315-2003

https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/3/315/2003/

eISSN: 1680-7324

eng