Moisture Isotopes in the Biosphere and Atmosphere
Initial Meetings and Protocol Development
The initial consultants' meetings held in November 2003 and May 2004 resulted in the development of the basic network design and sampling concepts. It was decided that for this network that regular sampling of the isotopic composition of water in plant leaves, stems, soil and atmospheric vapour would help achieve the benefits to the research community outlined above. The plant and soil samples would be taken twice monthly during a given growing season and atmospheric water vapour would be sampled once a week where possible under a slightly different protocol as the current technological state of the art demands (see below for details). Sampling should, ideally, be coordinated with other climatic (e.g. ambient temperature and relative humidity) and flux measurements.
The general framework of the network is as follows: Regional representatives enroll field sites in broadly defined global regions to sample leaves, stems and soils. These sights will then send the samples to extraction and analysis labs. It was decided that the IAEA’s isotope hydrology laboratory and that of several group members will provide isotopic analyses for those participants who do not have the availability or capacity to perform the required analysis. The IAEA will provide the secretariat for the work of MIBA group and may provide modest financial support for facilitating sampling, particularly in the developing countries. Together, the group will also assist in providing training and logistics according to needs. Results of all analysis will be immediately made available on the web page to all participants who will be given priority in any public dissemination of data. Products of this network will lead to periodic meetings (organized by the IAEA) where participants will be invited to discuss results of their efforts.
