title: Evaluation of reagentless pH modification for in situ ocean analysis: determination of dissolved inorganic carbon using mass spectrometry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In situ analytical techniques that require the storage and delivery of reagents (e.g., acidic or basic solutions) have inherent durability limitations. The reagentless electrolytic technique for pH modification presented here was developed primarily to ease and to extend the longevity of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) determinations in seawater, but can also be used for other analytical methods. DIC, a primary carbon dioxide (CO(2)) system variable along with alkalinity, controls seawater pH, carbonate saturation state, and CO(2) fugacity. Determinations of these parameters are central to an understanding of ocean acidification and global climate change.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electrodes fabricated with electroactive materials, including manganese(III) oxide (Mn(2)O(3)) and palladium (Pd), were examined for potential use in electrolytic acidification. In-line acidification techniques were evaluated using a bench-top membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) setup to determine the DIC content of artificial seawater. Linear least-squares (LLSQ) calibrations for DIC concentration determinations over a range between 1650 and 2400 µmol kg(-1) were obtained, using both the novel electrolytic and conventional acid addition techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At sample rates of 4.5 mL min(-1), electrodes clad with Mn(2)O(3) and Pd were able to change seawater pH from 7.6 to 2.8 with a power consumption of less than 3 W. Although calibration curves were influenced by sampling rates at a flow of 4.5 mL min(-1), the 1σ measurement precision for DIC was of the order of ±20 µmol kg(-1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calibrations obtained with the novel reagentless technique and the in-line addition of strong acid showed similar capabilities for DIC quantification. However, calculations of power savings for the reagentless technique relative to the mechanical delivery of stored acid demonstrated substantial advantages of the electrolytic technique for long-term deployments (>1 year).
authors: SRI International, Engineering R&D Division, 450 Eighth Ave SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA. andres.cardenas@sri.com
authors: Andres M
authors: AM
authors: Cardenas-Valencia
authors: Lori R
authors: LR
authors: Adornato
authors: Ryan J
authors: RJ
authors: Bell
authors: Robert H
authors: RH
authors: Byrne
authors: R Timothy
authors: RT
authors: Short
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis*; D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic / Q000032:analysis*; D004566:Electrodes; D004572:Electrolysis / Q000379:methods; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D016014:Linear Models; D017895:Manganese Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D010165:Palladium / Q000737:chemistry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic; D017895:Manganese Compounds; D010087:Oxides; D010165:Palladium; C027424:manganese oxide; D002244:Carbon