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| Home > Publications database > Development Of A Gas Exchange System To Adminster Radioactive Carbon Dioxide 11CO2 To Plants |
| Home > Publications database > Development Of A Gas Exchange System To Adminster Radioactive Carbon Dioxide 11CO2 To Plants |
| Poster | FZJ-2016-01185 |
; ;
2015
Abstract: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a non-invasive method and a key technology to study functional root traits of different plant species or genotypes. It allows monitoring transport processes in plants consecutively over a longer period of time as well as plant reactions to environmental changes or induced stresses in vivo. Radioactive carbon dioxide, which is labelled with the positron emitting 11C (half-life: 20 min), can be administered to a plant to follow up and quantify CO2 uptake as well as transport and storage of the labeled photoassimilates in particular in the roots without harming the plants. Since in the experiment radioactive tracer is handled, specific safety precautions have to be met. We have developed a prototype of a gas exchange system that enables measuring of gas exchange rates (CO2 and water) of a plant and, at the same time, ensures safe administration and discharge of the radioactive 11CO2 during the measurements with the PET system. Initially, the gas exchange system provides a certain gas composition in which both CO2 concentration and humidity can be adjusted. Under the control of mass flow rate (range 0.5 to 3.0 L/min) and differential pressure towards atmosphere the gas is delivered to the plant, which is enclosed in a glass cuvette. An infrared gas analyzer detects the delta CO2 and H2O concentrations between the gas flow entering and leaving the plant cuvette with an accuracy of +/-1 µmol/mol or mmol/mol, respectively. For the administration of the radioactive species of CO2 to the plant, the system can be operated in a closed cycle by which the plant will be exposed to a certain amount of 11CO2 for short time (seconds to minutes). After the pulse labeling is completed, the CO2 together with the radioactive 11CO2 will be adsorbed on the outlet of the system for safe discharge. We are currently evaluating the prototype system under real test conditions for adaptation and optimization. Future work will include automation of the 11CO2 administration and gas exchange measurements.
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