The Centre routinely provides isotope analyses of solid materials, such as soils, carbonates, sediments, and plant and animal tissues.
We also provide analysis of 18O/16O, 2H/1H and 13C/12C (DIC and DOC) isotope ratios in liquid water samples. Contact us if you are interested in analyses of other matrices.
The sample size indicated is for one analysis. Larger sample sizes are preferred to ensure homogeneity of samples and to enable proper handling and repetitions where required.
Isotope | Sample Type | Machine | Min. sample size depending on material | Precision (‰) 1 σ | Analysis time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
δ13C and δ15N dual element (Natural Abundance) | plant, soil or animal tissues | SerCon 20-22 IRMS or Thermo Delta V IRMS with EA | 1-50 mg | δ13C ±0.10‰ | 4-6 weeks |
δ15N±0.10‰ | |||||
δ13C and δ15N dual element (Enriched) | plant, soil or animal tissues | SerCon 20-22 IRMS with EA | 1-50 mg | δ13C ±0.5‰ | 4-6 weeks |
δ15N ±0.5‰ | |||||
δ34S (single element) | plant, soil or animal tissues | SerCon 20-22 IRMS with EA | 1 mg BaSO4 | δ34S ± 0.30 | Contact us for timeframe |
δ13C and δ18O (dual element) | carbonates | Thermo Delta XL IRMS with Gasbench II | 0.1-0.5 mg | δ13C ±0.10‰ | 6 weeks |
δ18O ±0.2‰ | |||||
δ13C (single element) | dissolved inorganic carbon (liquid), CO2 | Thermo Delta XL IRMS with Gasbench II | 2 mL | δ13C ± 0.10 | 6 weeks |
δ13C (single element) | dissolved organic carbon (liquid) | Thermo Delta V IRMS with LC Isolink | 2 mL | δ13C ± 0.30 | Contact us for timeframe |
δ2H and δ18O (dual element) | liquid and vapour water | Picarro Cavity Ring-Down Spectrometer | 2 mL | δ18O ±0.10‰ | 4-6 weeks |
δ2H ±1.0‰ | |||||
δ18O (single element) | organic material, phosphates, sulphates | Delta XL IRMS with TC/EA | 0.5-1.0 mg | δ18O ± 0.30 | 6 weeks |
We are actively working to improve analytical techniques and mathematical algorithms.
Please refer to our publications for details of several laboratory procedures,