Carbon isotope signature of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in precipitation and atmospheric CO₂

Górka, Maciej; Sauer, Peter E.; Lewicka-Szczebak, Dominika; Jędrysek, Mariusz Orion

Carbon isotope signature of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in precipitation and atmospheric CO₂

2011

Górka, Maciej | Sauer, Peter E. | Lewicka-Szczebak, Dominika | Jędrysek, Mariusz Orion

This paper describes results of chemical and isotopic analysis of inorganic carbon species in the atmosphere and precipitation for the calendar year 2008 in Wrocław (SW Poland). Atmospheric air samples (collected weekly) and rainwater samples (collected after rain episodes) were analysed for CO₂ and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations and for δ¹³C composition. The values obtained varied in the ranges: atmospheric CO₂: 337–448ppm; δ¹³CCO₂ from −14.4 to −8.4‰; DIC in precipitation: 0.6–5.5mgdm⁻³; δ¹³CDIC from −22.2 to +0.2‰. No statistical correlation was observed between the concentration and δ¹³C value of atmospheric CO₂ and DIC in precipitation. These observations contradict the commonly held assumption that atmospheric CO₂ controls the DIC in precipitation. We infer that DIC is generated in ambient air temperatures, but from other sources than the measured atmospheric CO₂. The calculated isotopic composition of a hypothetical CO₂ source for DIC forming ranges from −31.4 to −11.0‰, showing significant seasonal variations accordingly to changing anthropogenic impact and atmospheric mixing processes.

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