Analysis and Equipment

SIGF houses five dynamic-source isotope ratio mass spectrometers (IRMSs), a cavity ring-down spectrometer, and seven peripheral devices with the capabilities of performing high precision H, C, N, O, S and clumped analyses on carbonates, sediments, waters, and organic matter.

We perform high-precision carbonate δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O analyses with a Thermo Scientific Kiel IV Automated Carbonate Device coupled to a Thermo Scientific  MAT 253 dual inlet IRMS. Our instrument is capable of analyzing CaCO₃ samples as small as 10 μg, making our facility a viable option for specialized carbonate samples such as individual foraminifera.

With the addition of a Thermo Fisher Scientific 253 Plus and modified Kiel IV Automated Carbonate Device, we routinely perform clumped isotope analyses of carbonate samples of 1.2 mg.

We analyze a broad range of organic sample types for bulk total organic carbon, total organic nitrogen, δ¹³C, and δ¹⁵N via Thermo Fisher Scientific Delta V Advantage with Flash Elemental Analyzer (EA). We also measure δ³⁴S of organic matter with this instrumentation. An older Thermo Scientific DeltaXP IRMS is kept in reserve for these analyses.

With our  Thermo Fisher Scientific Delta V Advantage IRMS with GC-Isolink, we can perform H, C, and N isotope analyses on specific organic compounds.

δ¹³C analyses of natural water dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), soil gas, breath gas, etc. are available using continuous flow headspace sampling via a Thermo Scientific GasBench II also connected to our Delta V IRMS. 

We perform water δ¹⁸O and δD analyses via Picarro Li2120 Cavity Ring-Down Spectrometer (CRDS). Water δ¹⁸O and δD analyses are also available using headspace equilibration methods on the GasBench II upon special request, or for samples with high dissolved organic contents that would interfere with cavity ring down analysis.

At SIGF we pride ourselves in method development and in doing everything within our abilities to meet the analytical requirements of our customers. We welcome inquiries regarding unique and unconventional analyses, and we will work to adapt our analytical capabilities to the specific needs of individual researchers, clients, and students.