Stable Isotopes at Chesapeake Biological Laboratory

We operate a continuous flow Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS) Delta V Plus manufactured by Thermo Scientific. This IRMS is configured to analyze the stable isotope composition of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen in gas form, and samples are generated from a large range of sources, including water, air, carbonate minerals, organic tissues, soils, and sediments. More details on laboratory capabilities are available here.

We also operate a Cavity Ring Down Spectrometer (CRDS) G2201i from Picarro. We use this instrument to measure the concentrations of CH₄ and CO₂ in air, as well as their stable isotope composition (δ¹³C-CH₄ and δ¹³C-CO₂). The same measurements can be conducted on water samples, through prior equilibration with ultra-pure air.