Stable Isotope Laboratory
The Stable Isotope Laboratory provides critical analyses across the full spectrum of our research in the earth, environmental, and planetary sciences. Through analyses of major isotopes, our faculty and students investigate everything from contemporary environmental challenges to the history of Earth and other planets.
We provide services for research and commercial users inside and outside of the University of Tennessee. The lab has two Thermo-Finnigan Delta mass spectrometers and a variety of peripheral devices that enable the measurement of C-H-N-O-S isotopic ratios in a variety of materials. The types of analyses that we can perform and the prices per analysis are listed below.
Prices of N-C-H-O-S isotope analyses of solid, liquid and gas samples
| Prices of N-C-H-O-S isotope analyses of solid, liquid and gas samples: | ||||||
| Peripheral | Measurement | Types of material | Price per analysis | |||
| Costech EA | δ15N, δ13C, %N, %C | Organic matter, sediments, etc. | $10 | |||
| δ34S | Sulfur minerals/chemicals, organic compounds | $20 | ||||
| TC/EA | δ18O | Sulfur minerals/chemicals, low temperature minerals, organic compounds | $17 | |||
| δD | Organic matter, hydrated minerals | $20 | ||||
| Gas Bench II/Precon | δ13C and δ18O | Carbonates | $12 | |||
| δ13C | Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) | $10 | ||||
| δ13C | Dissolved organic carbon (DIC) | $15 | ||||
| δ15N and δ18O | Dissolved NO3 and NO2 | $45 | ||||
| δ13C | Methane | $20 | ||||
| GCC IRMS | δ13C, δ15N | Compound specific | $40 | |||
| Los Gatos Research DLT-100 | δ18O + δD | Water | $10 | |||
| Preparation of samples for analysis | Weighing and packing | Organic matter, sediments, mineral powders, etc. | $3 | |||
| Weighing and packing | Hair | $5 | ||||
| Acidification | Carbonate rich samples | $3 | ||||
| Precipitation of BaSO4 | Water samples | $3 | ||||
| Sulfur sequential extraction | SO42-, elemental sulfur, acid soluble sulfides, chromium soluble sulfides in sediments and rocks | $100 | ||||
| Prices of other services available in the Stable Isotope Laboratory: | ||||||
| Device | Measurement | Types of material | Price per analysis | |||
| Dionex ICS-2000 | Major cations | Water samples | $5 | |||
| Dionex ICS-2100 | Major anions | Water samples | $5 | |||
| Sulfur speciation | Water samples | $5 | ||||
Major Instrumentation in the Stable Isotope Lab
Thermo-Finnigan Delta+XL Mass Spectrometer
- Online analysis of stable C, N, O, S, H isotopes and concentrations
- Examples of sample types: organic matter, carbonates, nitrates, sulfur minerals, combustible chemicals, gases
Thermo-Finnigan Delta Plus Mass Spectrometer
- Primarily devoted to online analysis of stable S isotopes and concentrations
- Examples of sample types: organic matter, sulfur minerals
Thermo-Scientific Gas Bench II
LEAP Technologies GC-PAL autosampler
- Peripheral for sampling the headspace of vials
- Examples of sample types: carbonates, water, DIC, DOC, dissolved NO3, methane, organic compounds
Thermo-Finnigan High Temperature Conversion/ Elemental Analyzer (TC/EA)
- Peripheral for anoxygenic combustion and measurement of O, N, H isotope ratios and content
- Examples of sample types: organic matter, minerals/chemicals, water
Costech Elemental Analyzer ECS4010
- Peripheral for combustion and measurements of C, N, S isotope ratios and content
- Examples of sample types: organic matter, minerals/chemicals, combustible materials
Gas Chomatograph 6890A
Thermo-Finnigan GC-Combustion III
- Peripheral for combustion of individual organic compounds separable by GC and measurement of C, N, H
- Examples of sample types: n-alkanes, etc.
Los Gatos Research Liquid Water Isotope Analyzer DLT-100
- Cavity ringdown laser system for analysis of water samples
Glass Vacuum Lines
- Offline preparation system for old-fashioned analysis of solid, liquid and gas samples
Dionex ICS-2100 & ICS-2000
- Ion chromatograph for cation, anion, and sulfur speciation analysis of water samples
Additional Equipment
- Sulfur sequential extraction setup – for quantitative analysis and separation of sulfur-bearing species (SO42-, S°, S-, S2-) in sediments and rocks
- Ultrasonic Cleaner
- Analytical Balances – Mettler AE 163, Fisher Scientific accu-124D Dual Range, Mettler Toledo AX26
- Napco E series Vacuum Oven, Model 5831
- Fisher Scientific Isotemp Oven, Model 516G
- Fisher Scientific Isotemp Oven, Model 725 F
- Barnstead Thermolyne Furnace, Type 62700
- Thermolyne Type 2000 Furnace
- Tuttnauer 2540M Autoclave
- Terra Universal Laminar Flow Hood
- Heraeus Megafuge 1.0
- Labconco FreeZone 6 Freeze Dry System
General Purpose Equipment
- Portable incubators
- YSI field meter for water quality (pH, Eh, T, EC, DO, TDS)
- colorimeter for water chemistry
Stable Isotope Laboratory Reservations
If you are interested in measuring stable isotope ratios in the EEPS isotope facility, please contact Lab Manager Anthony Faiia and/or Prof. Anna Szynkiewicz.
