OBSERVATION OF A MASS-INDEPENDENT OXYGEN ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION IN TERRESTRIAL STRATOSPHERIC CO2, THE LINK TO OZONE CHEMISTRY, AND THE POSSIBLE OCCURRENCE IN THE MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE
Mh. Thiemens et al., OBSERVATION OF A MASS-INDEPENDENT OXYGEN ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION IN TERRESTRIAL STRATOSPHERIC CO2, THE LINK TO OZONE CHEMISTRY, AND THE POSSIBLE OCCURRENCE IN THE MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE, Geophysical research letters, 22(3), 1995, pp. 255-257
Multi-isotope (delta(17)O and delta(18)O) measurements of stratospheri
c CO2 and (CO)-C-14 are reported. Samples were acquired from altitudes
in excess of 11.5 km from Christchurch, New Zealand to the South Pole
. A mass independent isotopic variation is observed in CO2, the magnit
ude of which correlates well with (CO)-C-14 concentration, indicating
a stratospheric source of the effect. The component arises from isotop
ic exchange between the product of O-3 photolysis, O(D-1) and CO2, thu
s providing a unique measure of ozone photolysis and turnover. A simil
ar process may occur in the Martian atmosphere, as suggested by water
isotopic measurements from SNC meteorites.