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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5050
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5050
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Preprints
01 Sep 2026
 | 01 Sep 2026
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Biogeosciences (BG).

Technical note: Cavity ring-down spectroscopy is a precise and accurate method for measuring 15N-NO3– in soil extracts from 15N tracer experiments

Wasi Hashmi, Maija E. Marushchak, Paula Martinez-Risco Martinez, Jenie Gil, and Lukas Kohl

Abstract. Cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) provides a low-cost alternative to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) for the analysis of 15N-NO3⁻ in nitrogen cycle assays, but its performance has not been tested systematically for highly enriched samples. Here we report results from 271 parallel analyses of 15N-NO3⁻ in soil extracts after chemical conversion to N2O, including low (0.36–1.45 at%) and high labelled samples (0.46–8.49 at%). We demonstrate that CRDS measurements deliver comparable accuracy and precision to continuous-flow Gas Bench-IRMS analysis (slope: 0.982 and 0.972, RMSE: 0.0018 and 0.254 at% for low- and high-labelled samples, respectively), thereby offering a robust and affordable alternative for classic 15N-NO3⁻ analysis.

How to cite. Hashmi, W., Marushchak, M. E., Martinez, P. M.-R., Gil, J., and Kohl, L.: Technical note: Cavity ring-down spectroscopy is a precise and accurate method for measuring 15N-NO3– in soil extracts from 15N tracer experiments, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5050, 2026.
Received: 24 Aug 2026 – Discussion started: 01 Sep 2026
Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
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Wasi Hashmi, Maija E. Marushchak, Paula Martinez-Risco Martinez, Jenie Gil, and Lukas Kohl

Status: open (until 13 Oct 2026)

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Wasi Hashmi, Maija E. Marushchak, Paula Martinez-Risco Martinez, Jenie Gil, and Lukas Kohl

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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5050-supplement

Wasi Hashmi, Maija E. Marushchak, Paula Martinez-Risco Martinez, Jenie Gil, and Lukas Kohl
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Short summary
Tracking how nitrogen moves through soil is vital for environmental science, but traditional testing equipment is very expensive. We tested a newer, cheaper laser technology to see if it could accurately measure high levels of tracked/labelled nitrogen in soil. By comparing over two hundred samples against the expensive standard method, we proved that the cheaper laser tool is just as precise and accurate. This provides researchers worldwide with a reliable, affordable way to study soil.
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