Cell Biology JoVE (Open Access) Citable · DOI

Automated, High-resolution Mobile Collection System for the Nitrogen Isotopic Analysis of NOx

Name: Automated, High-resolution Mobile Collection System for the Nitrogen Isotopic Analysis of NOx
Uploaded: 2026-06-21
Duration: 7 min 14 s
Description: Nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) are a family of atmospheric trace gases that have great impact on the environment. NOx concentrations directly influence ...

DOI: 10.3791/54962-v

What you'll learn

✓ Set up automated mobile collection system for atmospheric NOx sampling
✓ Execute high-efficiency NOx collection and chemical reduction protocols
✓ Apply denitrifier method for nitrogen isotopic ratio determination
✓ Interpret isotopic composition data to distinguish NOx emission sources

Protocol

Previous work suggests that the nitrogen isotopic composition of atmospheric nitrogen oxides might distinguish the influence of different sources in the environment. We report on an automated, mobile, field-based method for the high collection efficiency of atmospheric NOx for N isotopic analysis at an hourly time resolution.

Difficulty

advanced

Total time

~4–6 hours per sampling cycle (collection + lab analysis); field deployment ongoing

Biosafety

BSL-1

Steps

Prepare solutions and deploy field collection system

Mix reagent solutions and assemble the automated mobile NOx collection apparatus at the field site. Configure sampling inlet, scrubbing lines, and data logging systems for continuous operation.

▶ 01:07

Collect atmospheric NOx samples at hourly intervals

Operate the mobile collection system to draw ambient air through a series of scrubbing solutions that capture NOx with high collection efficiency over discrete hourly periods.

▶ 02:17

Reduce and neutralize collected NOx samples

Apply chemical reduction and neutralization steps to the collected NOx solutions to convert nitrogen oxides into a stable form suitable for isotopic analysis.

▶ 03:05

Determine nitrogen isotope ratios via denitrifier method

Use the denitrifier bacterial method to measure nitrogen-15 and nitrogen-14 isotopic ratios in the prepared samples, establishing the isotopic signature of collected NOx.

▶ 04:05

Evaluate collection efficiency and interpret isotopic results

Assess the system's collection efficiency metrics and analyze isotopic composition data to distinguish and identify different NOx emission sources in the environment.

▶ 05:11

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