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The Stable Isotope Lab is equipped with two mass spectrometers and four attachments:
Equipped for manual gas injection and auto carbonate extraction unit for carbon dioxide. The manual injection port uses a sample reservoir to compress small volume samples. 3 detection cups measure mass 44, 45 and 46 at same time for an analysis. Reference gas (CO2) is made from Carrea Marble in the lab.
Equipped with Conflo III, continuous flow analysis unit. 5 detection cups are used to measure CO2, N2, CO and H2.
Four attachements are available for the mass spectrometers:
Carbonate auto extraction unit for MAT252. Oven temperature is 70 °C. 105% phosphoric acid is made from 99.998% pure PO5. Samples react with acid in individual vials and the residue can be used for trace element analysis on ICP (optional).
Bulk organic sample combustion unit for Delta V. Combustion and Reaction Tubes are packed for CO2 and N2 analysis. Zero Blank auto sampler (50 positions) is attached.
Bulk and liquid sample combustion unit for H and O analysis for Delta V. Zero Blank auto sampler (50 positions) is attached for bulk samples.
Liquid sample auto reaction unit for Delta V. TIC/DIC uses 42.5% Phosphoric acid and TOC/DOC uses. Auto sampler (40mL vials) is attached.
Please fill out a submission form (131KB XLS) for all samples. "Heading" sheet, B column is the required part. "Project Title" will a be key to identify the set of samples, not the file name. Please use individual names or numbering system if you submit more than one project (a set of samples) on your name. "Numeric Media Code" is available on the second sheet, "Media."
In order to reduce cost and turn-around time, the following table describes the appropriate form in which the samples should be submitted.
| Gas samples for MAT252 | Pure carbon dioxide in glass tube. Tube cracker is available in the lab. Manual extraction line to produce CO2 gas from carbonate or DIC samples is available in an adjacent lab space. For availability of the extraction line and training, please contact us. |
| Kiel samples | Pure carbonate sample or suitably pretreated and cleaned sample. Ground to powder if necessary. Please provide an amount adequate for at lease 3 analyses of each sample. 50 to 500 ug if bulk material is needed for an analysis depending on the carbonate contents. If the contents vary in a set of samples, %CaCO3 would be helpful for faster turn around. |
| EA samples | Dried sample in tin capsules. Sample amount for weighing is dependent on substrate and matrix, so please contact us for further information. |
| TC/EA solid samples | Dried sample in silver capsules. 50 to 400 ug in each capsule. |
| TC/Ea water samples | Methods still in development, so check back here or contact us for further information. |
| TIC-TOC samples | Auto sampler requires 40mL vials (27 * 95mm) with 0.125" septum. Inquire with us about obtaining sample bottles made specifically for the TIC-TOC analyzer. |
All prices are for samples that are ready to run. For EA analysis, samples must be packed in Sb capsules. For TIC/TOC, water samples should be in special bottles available from the lab (for cost) or from such and such vendor.
| Internal1 Users | External2 Users | |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk organic C and N on EA coupled to delta V Plus Precision C & N: 0.06‰ |
$8.00 | $20.00 |
| TIC-TOC carbon on TIC/TOC analyzer coupled to delta V Plus Precision TIC & TOC C: 0.06‰ |
$20.00 | $32.00 |
| TIC Carbon only on TIC/TOC analyzer coupled to delta V Plus Precision TIC C: 0.06‰ |
$15.00 | $25.00 |
| Solid H&O on TC-EA coupled to delta V Plus Precision H: 1‰ O: 0.1‰ |
$15.00 | $30.00 |
| Water H&O on TC-EA coupled to delta V Plus Precision H: 1‰ O: 0.1‰ |
$15.00 | $30.00 |
| Carbonate C&O by Kiel II coupled to MAT252 Precision C & O: 0.008‰ |
$11.00 | $17.00 |
| Carbonate C&O by Kiel II coupled to MAT252 with acid residue diluted for ICP-MS analysis Precision C & O: 0.008‰ |
$15.00 | $23.00 |
| Prepared CO2 gas on MAT252, manual analysis Precision C: 0.008‰ |
$15.00 | $25.00 |
1: University of Minnesota students or faculty.
2: Non-University of Minnesota affiliate.
These prices assume samples are submitted as described under the sample submission guidelines. If samples are not submitted in the appropriate manner, additional charges may apply.
Thermo Finnigan Delta V Plus Mass Spectrometer
Kiel II
Costech 4010 Elemental Analyzer (EA)
Thermo Finnigan Thermochemical Elemental Analyzer (TC/EA)