NAWI Graz Core Facility: Stable Isotopes
The Core Facility: Stable Isotopes at the Institute of Earth Sciences provides high precision stable isotope analysis capabilities. The core facility provides fast and user-friendly solid and liquid sample analysis using a state-of-the-art isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) and two peripheral preparation lines produced by Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH.
The laboratory provides the capability for the analysis of δ13C and δ18O in carbonate phases as well as δ2H and δ18O analysis in water but also other liquid (e.g., Urine, Wine, Juices, etc.) samples in a single preparation line using continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-IRMS).
In addition, the new Core Facility offers capabilities for combined combustion-based elemental analyzer isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS) and high-temperature pyrolysis isotope analysis (HPT-IRMS). This preparation line can analyze a diverse range of solid samples for their stable δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S ratio in EA-IRMS combustion mode and the analysis for δ2H and δ18O in HPT-IRMS pyrolysis mode. This preparation line can process dry bulk sample material ranging from organic substances (plants and animal tissues) to natural soil and sediment samples and a range of natural and industrial mineral phases and compounds.
The laboratory is fully equipped with all necessary standard reference materials to provide full analysis capabilities.
The facility operates for research, teaching, and contract work.
If you are interested in our stable isotope facilities, please contact:
Ass.Prof. Dr. Gerald Auer gerald.auer(at)uni-graz.at
Tel: ++43 (316) 380 5581
Sample requirements for carbonate analyses:
- Pure carbonates: 50 – 100 μg of dry sample.
- Sediment bulk samples should contain aliquots of at least 50 – 100 μg of pure Carbonate in their dry mass.
- Please get in touch with the head of the Core Facility if you are interested in analyzing phosphate, dolomite, or siderite samples.
Sample requirements for water/liquid analyses:
- We require 200 μl aliquots for water/liquid analysis.
- Please get in touch with the head of the Core Facility if you are interested in analyzing other liquids.
Sample requirements for EA-IRMS analyses:
- Please get in touch with the head of the core facility for details. Depending on the intended sample type and analysis requirements, sample requirements and potentially necessary wet-chemical sample preparation will be discussed.
Sample requirements for HTP-IRMS analyses:
- Please get in touch with the head of the core facility for details. Depending on the intended sample type and analysis requirements, sample requirements and potentially necessary wet-chemical sample preparation will be discussed.
Elementar isoprime PrecisION®: State-of-the-art IRMS capable of high precision stable isotope ratio measurements of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur in continuous flow mode.
Elementar isoFLOW: Carbonate and liquid preparation line with automated acid delivery and GC gas concentration trap using the Elementar UltiTrap® technology. The isoFLOW comes with a fully automated sampling arm and a heated sample tray capable of processing 180 samples at once.
Elementar vario PYRO cube®: Combined combustion and pyrolysis oven with Advanced Purge and Trap (APT) Technologie. Capabilities to analyze elemental concentrations and stable isotopes of Carbon, Nitrogen, and sulfur using combustion mode (= EA-IRMS analysis in CNS-Mode). And oxygen and hydrogen concentration and stable isotope analysis in solids in pyrolysis mode (= HTP-IRMS analysis in OH-Mode).
Sartorius MCE-Cubis® II high precision scale for accurate sample weighing (readability up to 0.001 mg | 1 μg) for both EA and carbonate analysis.
Gas delivery lines and gas cabinets for the secure delivery of all necessary high-purity monitoring (CO2, SO2, CO, H2, N2), equilibration (10% H2 in He, 5% CO2 in He), and process (He and O2) gases necessary for analysis. This includes permanently installed and personal gas sensors and associated safety equipment.
