Dr Mercedes de la Paz
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM), Vigo, Spain
Topic: High precision chromatography analysis of nitrous oxide and methane in seawater (Report)
Host: Robert Upstill-Goddard, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
Date of STSM: 01/10/2009 to 15/12/2009
STSM code: 4997
Mercedes' research is focused on air‐water CO2 exchange and associated biogeochemical processes,
mainly in coastal waters. This activity is lead by Fiz Perez and Aida Rios. Their group is highly
motivated towards incorporating measurements of N2O and CH4 in coastal ecosystems into their work. This will allow them to more completely assess the magnitude of greenhouse gas emissions from the coastal ocean. The purpose of this STSM was to visit the laboratory of Professor R. Upstill‐Goddard in order to receive training in the simultaneous, high precision measurement of N2O and CH4 in seawater and in atmospheric air by single‐phase equilibration gas chromatography (SPE‐GC) using flame ionization (FID: CH4) and electron capture (ECD: N2O) detection.