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Purdue Stable Isotope (PSI) Facility Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences

Instrumentation

The Purdue Stable Isotope Facility houses 4 isotope ratio mass spectrometers (IRMS), each accompanied by peripheral devices for conversion of various compounds into analyzable gases. We also operate some standalone instrumentation for both concentration and isotopic analysis.

Sercon 20-20 IRMS

Sercon 20-20

  • Gilson Trace Gas Analyzer: Headspace analysis of gases for δ13C and %C values
  • Thermalox Total Organic Carbon Analyzer: Analysis of aqueous samples for δ13C values

Sercon 20-22 IRMS

Sercon 20-22

  • Gilson Gas Chromatograph: Compound-specific analysis of δ13C values
  • PDZ Europa Elemental Analyzer (EA): Combustion of solid samples for δ13C, δ15N, %C, and %N values

Delta V Plus IRMS

Delta V Plus IRMS

  • Temperature Conversion Elemental Analyzer (TCEA): Pyrolysis of solids for δ18O values
  • Costech ECS 4010 Elemental Analyzer (EA): Combustion of solid samples for δ13C, δ15N, %C, and %N values

Delta V Advantage IRMS

Delta V Advantage IRMS

  • Analyses of δ15N, δ18O, and Δ17O on solid samples and organic (bacterial) respiration
  • Gilson Trace Gas Analyzer: headspace extraction of denitrifiers and gold tube thermal decomposition for δ15N, δ18O, and Δ17O