Advancing Greenhouse Gas Isotopic Measurements: Evaluating the Compatibility and Efficiency of Picarro Gas Autosampler with Picarro Isotopic Analyzers

The greenhouse gas research community faces a growing demand for automated solutions tailored to isotopic measurements of greenhouse gases (e.g., isotopic CO₂/CH₄). Traditional solutions often entail significant initial and maintenance costs, intricate deployment and maintenance processes, and limited fieldwork adaptability. Anticipating this challenge, the Picarro Gas Autosampler is poised to attract growing interest for its anticipated compatibility with Picarro isotopic Carbon analyzers featuring low flow rates (<50 scc/m), promising efficient isotopic measurements. This report delves into the compatibility, efficiency, and advantages of the Picarro Gas Autosampler when paired with the Picarro G2201-i analyzer. Our experiments showcase remarkable precision and accuracy in isotopic measurements of greenhouse gases. Additionally, we explore factors such as linearity in dilution factors and characterize memory effects and variability across different gas species (e.g., comparing CO₂ vs CH₄). Moreover, the report offers practical recommendations on methods and best practices for conducting isotopic measurements of greenhouse gases. In summary, the Picarro Gas Autosampler, when combined with the Picarro G2201-i analyzer, emerges as a compelling, cost-effective, and user-friendly solution for isotopic measurements of greenhouse gases, offering a distinct advantage over traditional alternatives.