Aristides (Thermo Finnigan DELTA^plus XP)

Named for the first winner of the Kentucky Derby, Aristides was the first isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) purchased by the lab. It features continuous-flow and dual-inlet capabilities and is also equipped with a multiport and microvolume. Currently, Aristides is interfaced with a Thermo GasBench II and a Thermo TC/EA via ConFlo III.

Zenyatta (Thermo Finnigan DELTA^plus XP)

Zenyatta is the ‘workhorse’ of the lab. Currently interfaced with a Costech ECS 4010 EA via ConFlo IV for measuring δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C in solids. Between 8000 and 10,000 tin capsules are run through this system each year.

Mr. Longtail (Thermo MAT 253)

The nickname of the 1941 Triple Crown Winner and the IRMS with the longest flight tube in the lab, Longtail is equipped with continuous-flow and dual inlet systems and 8 + 2 collector cups, giving it the ability to measure gases with m/z ratios of 2-3, 18, 28-30, 32-34, 40, 44-48, and 64-66. Longtail is currently interfaced with a Thermo EA IsoLink CN and a Trace GC IsoLink via ConFlo IV.

Limestone (Los Gatos Research T-LWIA-45-EP)

Delivered in July 2018, Limestone is capable of high-precision, high-throughput δ²H, δ¹⁷O, and δ¹⁸O measurements in liquid samples.

Picarro G1101-i

Used to discretely or continuously measure δ¹³C_CO2 in gas samples. Field-deployable. Equipped with a custom-built 4-port sample introduction system. Interfaced with a LI-COR LI-820 CO₂ gas analyzer for simultaneous collection of CO₂ concentration data during field sampling sessions.

Thermo Finnigan GasBench II

Used to analyze:

• δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O in carbonate-bearing materials
• δ¹⁸O in waters
• δ¹³C of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC)
• δ¹³C_CO2 in certain gas samples (e.g. breath)

Thermo TC/EA (interfaced with ConFlo III)

Used to analyze:

• δ²H and δ¹⁸O in both organic and inorganic materials
• δ¹⁸O of phosphates (e.g. AgPO₄), sulfates (e.g. BaSO₄), and silicates
• %O in a range of materials

Costech ECS 4010 EA (interfaced with #1 ConFlo IV)

Used to measure δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C, and %NCH in solids.

Thermo EA IsoLink CN with ramped GC column (interfaced with #2 ConFlo IV)

Delivered in April 2018, the EA IsoLink CN is equipped with a ramped-temperature GC column that enables rapid, precise δ³⁴S measurements in samples as small as 0.050 mg, in addition to δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C and %NCS measurements in organic materials.

The EA IsoLink can also simultaneously measure %NC, %NCS, or %NCH.

Trace GC IsoLink (CNH) (interfaced with #2 ConFlo IV)

Used to analyze δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C (GC-C) and δ²H (GC-TC) of headspace gases and compounds. Equipped with a split/splitless injector and automated LN₂ trap. Currently, compound specific isotope analysis is performed on a collaborative basis only.

• Extraction line for acid-volatile sulfur (AVS) and Cr-reducible sulfur (CRS)

• Two fume hoods

• Misonix VLF6 laminar flow hood

• Thermo Barnstead RO and NANOpure water purification systems

• One Mettler Toledo MX5 microbalance and two Sartorius M5P microbalances

• New Wave Micromill

• Retsch CryoMill

• Labconco FreeZone 12 freeze dryer

• Thermo Revco -80 °C Freezer

• Liebert eXM UPS backing all three IRMSs

• Helium flush-and-fill line - can accommodate up to 15 samples at once

• Secondary GC Pal autosampler for automated helium flush-and-fill of up to 96 Labco Exetainers

• Two refrigeratable centrifuges (Eppendorf 5810R and Thermo Sorvall Legend Micro 21R)

• Coy anaerobic chamber

• Buehler IsoMet 1000 precision sectioning saw

• Fisher IsoTemp muffle furnace and low-temperature (≤ 220 °C) oven

• Autoclave

• Vacuum oven

• Metrohm 905 Titrando titrator

• N-Evap 12-position nitrogen evaporator