Simultaneous leaf-level measurement of trace gas emissions and photosynthesis with a portable photosynthesis system

Abstract

Plants emit considerable quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the identity and amount of which vary with temperature, light, and other environmental factors. Portable photosynthesis systems are a useful method for simultaneously quantifying in situ leaf-level emissions of VOCs and plant physiology. We present a comprehensive characterization of the LI-6800 portable photosynthesis system's ability to be coupled to trace gas detectors and measure leaf-level trace gas emissions, including limits in flow rates, environmental parameters, and VOC backgrounds. Instrument contaminants from the LI-6800 can be substantial but are dominantly complex molecules such as siloxanes that are structurally dissimilar to biogenic VOCs and thus unlikely to interfere with most leaf-level emissions measurements. We validate the method by comparing CO2 assimilation calculated internally by the portable photosynthesis system to measurements taken with an external CO2 gas analyzer; these assimilation measurements agree within 1 %. We also demonstrate both online and offline measurements of plant trace gas exchange using the LI-6800. Offline measurements by pre-concentration on adsorbent cartridges enable the detection of a broad suite of VOCs, including monoterpenes (e.g., limonene) and aldehydes (e.g., decanal). Online measurements can be more challenging if flow rates require dilution with ultrapure zero air. We use high-resolution time-of-flight chemical ionization mass spectrometry coupled to the LI-6800 to measure the direct plant emission of formic acid.