Infrastructure of the stable isotope laboratory of the working group geochemistry and isotope geochemistry
Stable isotope lab manager: Dr. Peter Escher
In the working group geochemistry and isotope geochemistry several extraction lines for the chemical enrichment of sulfur and carbon compounds, metal and phosphorus species are available.
The instrumentation consists of a Finnigan MAT 253 isotope ratio mass Spectrometer (IRMS) by Themo Fisher Scientific, coupled with a ConFlo IV-interface, with the following peripheral devices.
These peripherals are primarily used for automated analysis of the δ13C-signature of DIC from aqueous solutions (eg, sea water, pore water, freshwater, groundwater or experimental solutions). Furthermore the δ13C- und δ18O-signatures of carbonates (phosphoric acid reaction) can be determined. Additionally the assay of the δ18O-signature of water (CO2-equilibration in the headspace) is possible.
This elemental analyzer serves to a complete combustion of C, N, S from solid samples. The δ-signatures of the resulting gases (CO2, N2, SO2) are then determined in the IRMS. δ34S-analysis of metal sulfides and sulfates are mainly carried out at this stable isotope lab of the working group.
This unit allows the analysis of the δ18O-signatures of organic solids, sulfate, phosphate or water with pyrolysis. These existing peripherals and the associated applications will be implemented some time in the laboratory.