Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Recent developments in cavity ring down spectroscopy (CRDS) allow real time monitoring of trace greenhouse gases (GHG) and stable carbon isotopes ratios of these GHGs at atmospheric concentrations. We will use a CRDS system in environmental research to better understand methane (CH4) isotope systematics in the study of 1) natural processes contributing to GHG flux in aquatic and wetland ecosystems 2) the impact of changing hydrologic conditions on methane flux from agricultural, aquatic and wetland systems 3) the impact of ethanol and biofuel contamination of groundwater and 4) the biodegradation of ethanol, biofuel and petroleum hydrocarbons leading to vapor intrusion into the shallow environment. By allowing us to perform rapid, field-based measurements of concentration and isotope analysis of CH4, we will be able to (a) focus our field work on the areas of greatest CH4 dynamics, and (b) perform more detailed spatial-temporal sampling because of the reduced time and labour required for analysis by this equipment. This equipment will be also used in microcosm and columns experiments that will be perform in the laboratory.