Facility

The Stable Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory at the University of Alberta accommodates two core isotope-ratio mass spectrometers (a Thermo Fisher MAT 253 and a Thermo Fisher Delta V Plus), and a few peripheries, including a FLASH HT Plus Elemental Analyzer, and a custom-made manifold for quantification and isotope measurement on nanomolar nitrogen.

The typical analyses we run include:

• 15N/14N of silicate rocks and minerals
• 15N/14N of salts
• 13C/12C and 15N/14N of organic matter and organic-rich rocks
• 34S/32S of sulfide and sulfate minerals

Combustion Furnaces

Gas Collection Systems

The high vacuum metal line is used for extraction and purification of nanomolar N2 from low N-bearing samples (e.g., silicate minerals and rocks) for high precision nitrogen isotope analysis by a continuous-flow IRMS method.

The glass vacuum line is used for gas extraction and purification for large amounts of CO2 from samples(e.g., carbonate, organic material, water DIC) for carbon isotope analysis at dual-inlet mode.

Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometers and peripheries

MAT 253 IRMS is coupled with a GasBench II system, a custom-made high-vacuum metal line for C and N isotope analyses of samples with low C and N contents.

Delta V Plus IRMS is coupled with an Elemental Analyzer for C and N isotope analysis of organic matter and organic-rich sediments.

The FLASH HT Plus elemental analyzer facilitates fast sample burning to produce working gases for C and N isotope analysis.

GasBench II is used as an interface for the continuous-flow IRMS method for C and N isotope analyses.