The MICE device
Terrestrial ecosystems have a large carbon sequestration potential, but many processes and fluxes of organic matter (OM) cycling within the plant-soil system are not yet well understood. Stable isotope analysis e.g. in combination with biomarkers is a powerful tool to study complex interactions within the plant-soil system. The use of multiple isotopes has proven to lead to further insights in plant physiological processes and on OM cycling. We suggest a new continuous multi-labelling approach using 13C, 18O and 2H associated with specific compound analysis to trace organic compounds (e.g. lignin, cellulose) from the leaf to the soil and within soil organic matter (e.g. suberin, phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) - figure 1).
Figure 1: Example of stable isotope combined with specific compounds technique in the plant-soil system
To develop this multi-labelling approach, we built up a unique facility: the Multi-Isotope labelling in a Controlled Environment (MICE - figure 2). This device has been entirely designed and built up at the University of Zurich, together with the workshop of the Physics Department (UZH) and in collaboration with the Paul-Scherrer Institut.
