Robotic micromilling of tree-rings: A new tool for obtaining subseasonal environmental isotope records

• Published in: Chemical geology Vol. 252; no. 1; pp. 21 - 30
• Main Authors: Dodd, Justin P., Patterson, William P., Holmden, Chris, Brasseur, Jason M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 30-06-2008
• Subjects: Cellulose; High-resolution; Intra-ring; δ 13C; δ 18O; δD; High-resolution; Intra-ring; δ 18O; δ 13C; Cellulose
• ISSN: 0009-2541; 1872-6836
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2008.01.021

High-resolution, intra-ring δ
18O, δD, and δ
13C values of modern tree species (
Picea glauca,
Larix laricina, and
Populus grandidentata) were obtained using a robotic micromill. The micromilling apparatus permits accurate mapping and sampling of growth bands at a resolution of a few μm, producing a fine, homogenous powder that facilitates chemical processing and analyses of very small aliquots of α-cellulose and cellulose nitrate (~
100 μg). Considerable intra-ring isotope variability observed in tree samples in this study correlates with temperature and precipitation data indicating that intra-ring variability in δ
18O, δ
13C, and δD has great potential for reconstructing high-resolution variation in meteorological conditions throughout the growing season.