Stable Isotope Ratios in the Environment, Analytical Laboratory - SIREAL

Initial Publication Date: May 22, 2006

University of Rochester

http://www.ees.rochester.edu/SIREAL/

Contact Information

Penny Higgins

585-275-0601

loligo@earth.rochester.edu

Rochester

NEW YORK

Instrument Type

MASS SPECTROMETERS - Stable isotopes

Thermo Finnigan Delta Plus XP

Application:

Fluid or gas analysis

Typical Use:

Used for measurement of ratios of light stable isotopes (C, H, O, N). Ratios may be measured from inorganic materials (carbonates or apatites), or organic materials such as tissue or hair samples.

Conditions for Use:

Submitted samples will be analyzed on a contract basis (i.e. lab personnel will do the work)
Visitors are invited to work in the lab to work with lab personnel
Visitors are invited to work in the lab to design and do the work yourself

User Fees:

Charges are on a per-sample basis and depend upon the type of sample analyzed, the inlet peripheral used, and if there is any needed sample preparation before analysis.

Instrument Priorities:

Research (funded and student) is our priority.
Education about the use of light stable isotopes is important, and we are happy to give presentations/demonstrations about the instrumentation and/or train committed researchers.

Remote Use:

This instrument cannot be operated remotely.

Sample Preparation:

Contact the lab manager regarding your particular application. Necessary sample sizes are typically very small. We have the capability to do some pre-analysis treatments, but not all.

Standard Collections/Lab Blanks:

We do not charge for the analysis of standards (which are necessary with any analysis). For samples that require loading into metal capsules, we recommend preparing blanks (empty capsules) from the same batch of capsules.

Software:

Data is acquired with proprietary ISODAT software (from Thermo Finnigan). Data is corrected and normalized using LIMS for light stable isotopes, an MSAccess-based program prepared by Tyler Copen of the US Geological Survey. Results are returned to the customer in a computerized format (typically MSExcel).