Articles | Volume 30, issue 15
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-5005-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-5005-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Technical note: Water vapor sampling for stable isotope analysis: systematic testing of sampling conditions and development of a robust protocol
Alberto Iraheta
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Geoecology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
Elise Malsch-Fröhlich
Institute of Geoecology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
Malkin Gerchow
Institute of Geoecology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
Matthias Beyer
Institute of Geoecology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
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Short summary
We present a simple and practical method for sampling water vapor for stable isotope analysis. Tests conducted under various conditions demonstrate that using 250-mL glass bottles, a flow rate of 100 to 125 milliliters per minute, and storage for up to 24 h at a temperature of 20 to 25 °C yields the most stable results. The method is cost-effective, non-destructive, and suitable for remote locations.
We present a simple and practical method for sampling water vapor for stable isotope analysis....