Stable Isotope Facility – Instrumentation

Major Instrumentation

IRMS – Elementar Isoprime

This instrument is mostly dedicated to providing δ13C and δ15N analyses of organic materials (EA-CF-IRMS) as well as δ13C and δ18O analyses of carbonates (DI-IRMS). The system is also occasionally used for δ34S analyses of sulfide minerals.

Peripherals: EuroVector Elemental Analyzer, Multiprep Bench
Location: Mines Stable Isotope Laboratory

IRMS – VG Isotech Optima

This instrument is mostly dedicated to providing δ13C and δ15N analyses of organic materials by EA-IRMS. The instrument is used extensively as part of biological and ecological research projects in addition to geologic research. Many types of organic samples such as animal, insect and plant tissues are routinely analyzed.

Peripherals: CE2500 Elemental Analyzer
Location: USGS Stable Isotope Laboratory

IRMS – Thermo Delta XP

This instrument is dedicated to providing δ34S analyses of organic and inorganic materials by EA-IRMS. Typical sample materials include animal and plant tissues and combustible minerals such as sulfide minerals.

Peripherals: Thermo Flash 2000 Elemental Analyzer
Location: USGS Stable Isotope Laboratory

IRMS – Thermo Delta V

This instrument provides δ18O and δD analyses of organic and inorganic materials by pyrolysis-IRMS. Sample materials include animal and plant tissues and a range of minerals.

Peripherals: Thermo Flash 2000 Elemental Analyzer
Location: USGS Stable Isotope Laboratory

IRMS – Finnigan MAT 252

This instrument is mostly dedicated to δ13C and δD analyses of gases supplied in sealed vessels. These gases are prepared using any one of a number of manual off-line methods, such as hydrogen gas produced by zinc reduction of small water samples, or carbon dioxide produced by phosphoric acid reaction with slow-reacting carbonate materials such as siderite.

This instrument has also been a testing ground for the laser ablation device and the OI TOC analyzer.

Peripherals: Multiport, laser ablation device, OI Total Organic/Inorganic Carbon Analyzer
Location: USGS Stable Isotope Laboratory

IRMS – VG Isotech Optima

This instrument is used as a test and development platform. Several developmental sample preparation systems have been attached to this mass spectrometer, but no routine analyses are conducted.

Peripherals: Variable
Location: USGS Stable Isotope Laboratory