Picarro CRDS Carbon Isotope Analyzer for Carbon Dioxide

New Isotopic CO_2 Analyzer -  G2131-i

From ice caves in Greenland to bat caves in Costa Rica to the African Savanna, get high precision measurements as good as IRMS - anywhere, anytime.

• <0.1 ‰ precision, <0.5 ‰ drift for δ¹³C in CO₂: Field specs as good as lab-bound, expensive continuous flow IRMS systems. 
• Weighs <26kg, passes militay shock and vibration testing.
• Less hassle than IRMS. 10X less frequent calibrations, 10x less maintenance, no consumables.
• Measures CH₄ concentration to capture more carbon cycle dynamics.
  
• Endures harsh environments – mountains, oceans, forests, and tundra.
  

Picarro’s G2131-i analyzer for measurement of δ¹³C of CO₂ is the world’s best combination of precision, ruggedness, and ease-of-use. With guaranteed precision <0.1 ‰ and long-term drift <0.5‰, the G2131-i has a performance comparable to that commonly achieved with continuous flow IRMS, while being rugged enough to meet military shock and vibration testing standards. This stability and ruggedness enables researchers to go anywhere in the world and make high precision measurements of the carbon isotopic ratios that reveal the detailed biological and geological mechanisms that produce and consume CO2.

The measurement stability and precision, along with Picarro’s renowned ease-of-use, completely changes the game for researchers in the field. Scientists on campaign get immediate, high precision results without having to take a load of samples back to the isotope lab. Now they can stay in the field longer, and use their data immediately to conduct new experiments to pursue the most interesting and valuable results with a limited amount of time.

The G2131-i also makes precise measurements of CO₂, H₂O, and CH₄ concentration to empower researcher to gain further insight into carbon cycle dynamics. This also allows cross-influence of these species to be quantified and corrected on the analyzer without data post-processing. The water measurement correction eliminates need for gas drying and the resultant consumables and extra hardware. The concentration dependence of δ¹³C is calibrated up to 2000ppm of CO₂, while response to CO₂ concentration transients in this range is nearly undetectable.

The G2131-i is designed to get excellent results in the harshest environments. The Picarro’s small size and <26kg weight simplifes transportation to even remote field locations. The analyzer is so rugged that it meets military shock and vibration standards. No consumables and very little maintenance are required for low cost-of-ownership. Researchers operating in the field can configure an analyzer and begin collecting data within minutes, and then can operate for months without user interaction. An internet connection allows one to remotely control the analyzer and automatically download data. Picarro analyzers have been field-tested in hundreds of locations and are used by thousands of scientists, around the globe.

This performance breakthrough is the result of two patent-pending innovations built on top of Picarro's award-winning, patented Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy technology, a laser-based system for measurement of gas concentration and stable isotope concentration in gas samples. The first innovation measures the amount of light scattered from the cavity, which allows for a reduction in the variability of the signal. The second innovation improved the ability of the cavity to retain the laser light, which strengthens the final "ring-down" signal. This combination of less variability and stronger signal makes the isotope ratio measurements more precise.  

Isotope ratios are critical for understanding the details of the biological and geological mechanisms that produce and consume CO₂. Isotopes of carbon have the same chemical characteristics but ¹³C is heavier because it has an additional neutron in its atomic nucleus than does ¹²C. Where ¹²C and ¹³C follow identical reaction pathways, they proceed at different rates in nature with ¹³C often reacting more slowly than ¹²C.  As a result, the ¹³C/¹²C ratio in CO₂ depends on the biochemical or geochemical reaction pathways. Precisely measuring these ratios enables researchers to understand the microscopic mechanisms that create and use CO₂.