Biogeochemical Stable Isotope Facility

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

About the Lab

Lab Phone: 808-956-5362

Fax: 808-956-5512

Lab Email: isobiogeo@soest.hawaii.edu

 

Our laboratory facility operates at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa within the School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology (SOEST). Dr. Brian Popp, Departments of Geology and Geophysics and Oceanography is the Director of the Biogeochemical Stable Isotope Laboratories.  Our lab houses 5 Finnigan/ThermoFinnigan/ThermoFisher gas ratio mass spectrometers, 3 Trace gas chromatographs, a Carlo Erba elemental analyzer, a Costech Instruments Elemental Combustion System and a GasBench II.  Below are descriptions of various equipment in our lab.

 

ThermoFinnigan Delta^Plus XP

 

Our Delta^Plus XP is equipped with dual inlet capabilities is interfaced with a Costech Instruments Elemental Combustion System.  The primary use of this mass spectrometer is to determine the δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values of a variety of solid samples, such as plant, animal tissue, and samples on glass fiber filters. 

 

ThermoFinnigan Delta S

 

The Carlo Erba 2500 elemental analyzer is coupled with a Finnigan Delta S mass spectrometer. The instrument is primarily used to determine the δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values of a variety of isotopically enriched solid samples, such as plant and animal tissue and various samples on glass fiber filters. 

 

Finnigan MAT252

 

The MAT252 is equipped with a Trace GC/GCIII interface for determining the δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values of individual compounds. It is also equipped with multiport and dual inlet systems, as well as in-house fabricated inlet systems for the introduction of headspace samples (e.g., CO₂, N₂O, CH₄).

 

ThermoFinnigan Delta^Plus V

 

Our Delta^Plus V is interfaced with a Trace GC/GCIII interface for determining the δ¹⁵N, δ¹³C and δD values of individual compounds and a GasBench II.  The primary use for this mass spectrometer has been analysis of the δ¹⁵N values of individual amino acids. Please note that because of the length of time needed for preparation of amino acids for compound-specific isotopic analyses, we do not normally accept samples for preparation and analysis.  Additionally, the GasBench II peripheral allows us to analyze δ¹³C values of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in fresh or seawater, δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values of carbonates, δ¹⁸O of waters, and both δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O of nitrate as N₂O.

 

ThermoFinnigan MAT253

 

Our MAT253 is equipped with a Trace GC Ultra with a TriPlus autosampler for determining the δ¹⁵N, δ¹³C and δD values of a variety of individual compounds.

 

Picarro

 

Our fully-automated Picarro L1102-i WS-CRDS allows automated hydrogen and oxygen isotopic measurements of both fresh and seawater samples at an affordable price.

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