Articles | Volume 8, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-307-2017
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-307-2017
Method article
 | 
10 Mar 2017
Method article |  | 10 Mar 2017

Measurement of geologic nitrogen using mass spectrometry, colorimetry, and a newly adapted fluorometry technique

Benjamin W. Johnson, Natashia Drage, Jody Spence, Nova Hanson, Rana El-Sabaawi, and Colin Goldblatt

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Short summary
Contrary to canonical notions, recent research suggests that N can cycle throughout the solid Earth over geologic time. Such cycling may directly affect climate and biologic productivity. Due to low concentrations in rocks and minerals, analysis and interpretation are difficult. Therefore, we adapted a fluorometry technique used in aquatic chemistry for use on geologic samples. We compare fluorometry to mass spectrometry and present discussion of the abundance of N in continental crust.