Why Top Scientists Trust Picarro’s Carbon Isotope Analysis Solutions

Without accurate carbon isotope measurements, scientists risk compromising their research. For example, misidentifying emission sources can distort climate models and weaken mitigation efforts.

Read their research to learn why top scientists rely on Picarro to deliver precise, real-time δ¹³C measurements in CO₂ and CH_4.

A Safer, Faster Way to Understand Methane Production in Biogas Systems – by Rodrigues Oliveira, H. et al. (2024)

Using the Picarro G2201-i analyzer, researchers developed a quick and reliable method to identify how microbes produce methane in biogas reactors. By combining short incubations with ¹³C-labeled acetate, they avoided radioactive tracers and achieved high-precision δ¹³C-CH₄ and δ¹³C-CO₂ measurements in under three hours. This practical, low-cost approach replaces more complex lab setups and enables operators and researchers to identify key methane-forming processes with ease—offering a powerful tool to improve system stability, optimize biogas production, and support the growth of renewable energy solutions.

A Novel Protocol for Isotopic Analysis of Methane in Fluid Inclusions – by Olivieri, O. et al. (2024)

This study presents a streamlined method for analyzing methane and carbon trapped in ancient rocks using the  Picarro G2201-i analyzer. By combining mechanical gas extraction with direct injection, researchers achieved high-precision  δ¹³C-CH₄ and  δ¹³C-CO₂  measurements with ±1‰ reproducibility—without gas separation or mass spectrometry. The setup offers a practical and accessible way to trace deep Earth carbon, opening new opportunities for fluid inclusion research.

Revealing Permafrost Carbon Loss with Real-Time Isotope Tracking – by Friggens, N. et al. (2024–2025)

Researchers developed a custom growth chamber system—BLOSOM—designed to study how plant roots affect carbon cycling in soils. Central to this innovation is the Picarro G2201-i analyzer, which enabled high-precision monthly δ¹³C-CO₂ measurements from 216 soil units over a full year without gas pre-treatment. This state-of-the-art setup allowed continuous δ¹³CO₂ labelling and real-time flux tracking, opening a new window into root-soil interactions. Applying this system, the team showed that living roots can increase carbon release from thawing permafrost soils by 31%, revealing a key mechanism that could accelerate climate change. Together, this work showcases how Picarro-enabled systems are advancing our ability to measure, understand, and model the fate of soil carbon in a warming world.

Simplify and Automate Discrete Gas Sample Analysis

The Sage gas autosampler is a new peripheral that simplifies discrete sample analysis. Sage integrates with a range of Picarro analyzers to streamline stable isotope measurements. It's the perfect enhancement to your analysis system. Learn more>>

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