Toward a Diffusive, Non-Destructive Approach to Measuring Stable Isotopes of Water within Tree Stems
Date of Award
5-2-2018
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Geosciences
First Advisor
Dr. Luke Pangle
Second Advisor
Dr. Rebekah Chapman
Third Advisor
Dr. Brian Meyer
Abstract
Traditional methodologies for measuring ratios of stable isotopes within the xylem water of trees involves destructive coring of the stem. A recent approach involves permanently installed probes within the stem, and an on-site assembly of pumps, switching valves, gas lines, and climate-controlled structure for field deployment of a laser spectrometer. The former method limits the possible temporal resolution of sampling, and sample size, while the latter may not be feasible for many research groups. Researchers have used direct liquid-vapor equilibration as a method to measure isotope ratios of the water in soil pores. Typically, this is done by placing soil samples in a fixed container, and allowing the liquid water within the soil to come into isotopic equilibrium with the headspace of the container. We present a novel approach to measuring xylem water that relies on liquid-vapor equilibration, built from the principals applied to soil samples.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/12008599
Recommended Citation
Raulerson, Scott A., "Toward a Diffusive, Non-Destructive Approach to Measuring Stable Isotopes of Water within Tree Stems." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2018.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/12008599