Equipment

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The stable isotope laboratory at the University of Florida is equipped with a VG Isogas PRISM Series II stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer with triple collector and H/D spur. The instrument is equipped with an isocarb extraction system for automated determination of 13C/12C and 18O/16O in carbonates. The instrument is also fitted with a cryogenic trapping box that is directly interfaced with a Carlo Erba NA1500 elemental analyzer for automated determination of 13C/12C and 15N/14N in organic samples. For automated analysis of batches of samples generated off-line, the insturment is fitted with a 10-port manifold system with pneumatically-operated automatic sealed tube crackers to introduce sample gas to the inlet of the mass spectrometer. Off-line extraction systems in the laboratory include a manual extraction line for CO2 in carbonates, 18O/16O in water, H/D in water, 13C/12C and 15N/14N of organic matter, 13C/12C of DIC, and 15N/14N of DIN. An extraction line is also available for analysis of oxygen isotopes in silicates. The laboratory is under the supervision of Dr. David Hodell.

Typical scenes of the Stable Isotope Laboratory




VG Prism II mass spectrometer.

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Coulometer for determination of carbonate C in sediments and total DIC in water.

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Postdoctoral associate Binhe Gu adds liquid nitrogen to a multipurpose extraction line. This line is used for extraction of carbon and nitrogen from organic matter, oxygen from water, and dissolved inorganic carbon from water.

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Extraction line for separation of oxygen from silicate minerals in preparation for measurement of isotopic ratios.

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Carlo-Erba CNS analyzer for measurement of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur concentrations in geologic and biologic samples.

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David Hodell and his faithful mass spectrometer.

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Return to the UF isotope geochemistry home page.

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Last updated February 6, 1996