Natural 15n abundance measurements and atmospheric nitrogen standard calibration


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ABSTRACT Small differences in natural isotope ratios between two compounds can be measured easily and with high precision by using mass spectrometers fitted with double (or triple) ion


collectors and dual inlet systems equipped for rapid switching between reference and sample1–3. The parameter used to describe these differences in natural 15N abundance is: where _R_ is the


isotopic ratio of _m/z_ = 29(14N15N+) to _m/z_ = 28(14N14N+). Although an international standard for nitrogen has not yet been defined, atmospheric N2 had been chosen through practical


experience, even before the worldwide homogeneity of its isotopic composition was demonstrated4–7. However, the presence of argon (≃1%) in purified air samples may, in some circumstances,


modify the apparent isotope ratio of atmospheric N2. Two different mass spectrometers in our laboratory have been used to assess the magnitude of this ‘argon effect’, which seems to be


essentially an instrumental, presumably pressure-related, effect. Therefore, on mass spectrometers showing this argon effect it is imperative that a correction be applied to measurements of


_δ_15N of atmospheric N2. However, in some circumstances (different mass spectrometers, different tuning of the same instrument) this effect can be non-existent or negligible and might


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Biogéochimie des Isotopes stables, 4 Place Jussieu, 75230, Paris Cédex, 05, France André Mariotti Authors * André Mariotti View author publications You can also search for this author


inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Mariotti, A. Natural 15N abundance measurements and atmospheric nitrogen standard


calibration. _Nature_ 311, 251–252 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/311251a0 Download citation * Received: 02 May 1984 * Accepted: 22 June 1984 * Issue Date: 20 September 1984 * DOI:


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