Knowledge Base

Goal: When coupled to a Thermo Scientific Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS), this elemental analyzer allows bulk stable isotope analyses (BSIA) of N, C, S, H and O of organic and inorganic materials as well .as water and other liquids

Goal: Recent analytical developments have made it possible to measure the triple isotopic composition of oxygen in water with high precision. In this note, we concentrate on the study of δ18O, d-excess and especially the added value of 17O-excess in polar ice cores for constraining the relationship between climate and water cycle organization. We present the basis for this research and the importance of the standard calibration of this new parameter not only for laboratory nter-comparison but also comparison with modeling outputs.

Goal: The two source materials for squalene and squalane, shark liver oil and olive oil, exhibit significantly distinct carbon isotopic compositions (δ13C). This systematic difference in δ13C between the two sources can be employed to detect (a) the origin of squalane and (b) an adulteration of olive oil derived squalane by admixtures of shark liver oil derived squalane. Analysis of δ13C of squalene and squalane can be performed by means of an Elemental Analyzer coupled to an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (EA-IRMS).

Goal: Gas chromatography coupled with Isotope Ratio MS (GC-IRMS) has entered into widespread applications like environmental studies and forensics enabling compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA). Isotopic fingerprints analyzed by GC-IRMS may still provide information where classical GC/MS methods based on compound quantitation cannot. The potential of using CSIA for source differentiation of environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has already been demonstrated.