Stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (SIRMS)

Brand: (EA) Eurovector / (IRMS) Nu Instruments

Model: (EA) EA3028 / (IRMS) Perspective

Samples are oxidized, followed by reduction inside the elemental analyzer to convert into CO₂ and N₂.  Alternatively, they are pyrolyzed  by the HT furnace into CO and H₂.  The gases are separated by packed column gas chromatography and analyzed by the IRMS.  This equipment is used for analyzing the isotope ratios of C and N in organic matter (plant/animal tissue) and sediments, as well as H and O isotope ratios in water.

Brand: (EA) Thermo / (Gas Bench) Thermo / IRMS (Thermo)

Model: (EA) EA Isolink / (Gas Bench) Gas Bench II / (IRMS) Delta V Advantage

This isotope ratio mass spectrometer is interfaced with two different sample preparation units:

1. Elemental Analyzer

A temperature ramped GC is included in this EA.  As a result, the analysis time for each sample can be reduced with improved separation, making it suitable for measurement of the isotope ratio sulphur, as well as nitrogen and carbon of bulk organic substrates.

2. Gas Bench with Denitrification Kit

Gas Bench is an innovative solution for high precision on-line isotope and molecular ratio determination of headspace samples. Gas sample is entrained in a helium stream via a sampling needle.  The gas then passes through a CO₂ scrubber (Ascarite) and N₂O is trapped and concentrated in liquid nitrogen cryo-traps.  The N₂O is carried by helium to the IRMS via a gas chromatography column which separates N₂O from the interfering gases.  This equipment is mainly used to measure gaseous nitrogen or nitrogen oxides, which are created by biological decomposition of samples containing nitrogen.