Sample preparation

CNH concentration and stable isotopes of solid samples

Note: Before use clean utensils using ethanol and Kimwipes, allow to dry!

Sediment, soil and organic material
Note:  Carbonatic sediments need to be analyzed using two preparation pathways for CNtot and Corg!

Sample Quantities:
Organic materials 1–2mg                    
Sediment 5–40mg

CNtot analysis:
Samples should be dried/freeze-dried and homogenized.                    
Weigh a quantity of material in tin capsules 5x8mm (1–20mg) or silver capsule 6x6x12mm
(more than 20mg), seal  and place the samples into a sample tray.                    
Please provide samples and a file with location, sample name and weight.

Corg analysis:
Samples should be dried/freeze-dried and homogenized.                    
Weigh a quantity of material in silver capsules 6x6x12mm and add a few drops of 2N HCl (should cover all material).                    
If reaction occurs, i.e. bubbles are created, dry the sample for 1h at 60 degrees and repeat the addition of acid.    
Dry overnight at 60 degrees.
Seal the capsule and place them in a sample tray.

Please provide samples and a file with location, sample name and weight.

GFF filter samples
Corg, N analysis:

Add the wet filters in a desiccator with conc. HCl overnight.                    
Dry them in a desiccator with bluegel at 60 degree overnight.                    
Pack them in silver boats 6x6x12mm and put them in a sample tray.                
Please provide samples and a file with location, sample name and perhaps filtered volumes.

 

S concentration and stable isotopes of solid samples

Note: Before use clean utensils using ethanol and Kimwipes, allow to dry!

Sediment, soil, organic materials and prepared S samples (BaSO4, etc.)

Sample Quantities:  
sample type weight
BaSO4 466.80ug
FeS2 19.98ug
PbS 478.50ug
ZnS 194.86ug
Ag2S 495.60ug
organic materials, dependence of S content 2–10mg

S analysis:
Samples should be dried/freeze-dried and homogenized.                    
Weigh a quantity of material in tin capsules 8x5mm and add the same amount of V2O5 (should be 1:1 but max 2mg, shake a bit so that the sample material and V2O5 are mixed).    
Seal the capsule and place them in a sample tray.                    
Please provide samples and a file with location, sample name and weight.

 

O stable isotopes of solid samples

Note: Before use clean utensils using ethanol and Kimwipes, allow to dry!

Note: For better precision each sample should be measured twice!                   

Phosphate
Samples should be dried/freeze-dried.                    
Weigh 0.5 mg of silver phosphate in silver capsules 3.5x5mm and place them in a sample tray.    
Before analysis, dry weighed samples overnight at 60 degrees.                    
Please provide samples and a file with location, sample number and weight.

Cellulose
Samples should be dried/freeze-dried.                    
Weigh 2mg materials in silver capsules 3.5x5mm and place them in a sample tray.
Before analysis, dry weighed samples overnight at 60 degrees.                    
Please provide samples and a file with location, sample number and weight.

 

H stable isotopes of solid samples

Note: Before use clean utensils using methanol!! and Kimwipes, allow to dry!

Organic material
Samples should be dried at 60 degrees for 24h and grounded to a fine powder.
Weigh 0.35mg ±0.020mg material in silver capsules 3.5x5mm and place them in a sample tray.
Please provide samples and a file with location, sample number and weight.

 

OH stable isotopes of water samples

Water samples
The samples should be stored cool between sampling and analysis.                
Fill the vials (2 ml) so that there is a small air bubble.                    
Close them (blue screw cap, PTFE/SILICONE/PTFE septum).                    
Please provide samples and a file with sample name.

 

C stable isotopes of DIC

Water samples
Add 100ul of concentrated phosphoric acid in the vials.                    
Close the vials with a white cap/septum (the acid should not come in contact with the septum).    
Flush the vials with Argon or Helium for 4 minutes.                    
Inject max 5ml sample of water through the septum.                    
Note! Samples should be injected into the vial during the sampling in the field (outgassing of CO2!).                    
Place all tubes in the autosampler (temperature 26 degrees).                    
Let stand at least 3h.
Please provide samples and a file with sample number and name.

 

CO stable isotopes of carbonate

Note: Before use clean utensils using ethanol and Kimwipes, allow to dry!

Carbonate
Samples should be dried/freeze-dried and homogenized.                    
Mark glass vials (Labco 238W/W – white cap).                    
Weigh 0.2mg  sample material/standard in the vials (applies to 100% carbonate samples).    
Use a silver cap and check after each sample the weight!                    
Close the vials with caps/septa.

Dry overnight with removable lid at 90 degrees.

Take out and add in a horizontal position 100ul conc H3PO4 on the wall (acid shouldn't touch the sample).

Close the lid and put the vial in the flush rack still horizontal.

Flush the vials with Argon or Helium (100ml/min) for 10 minutes.

Place all tubes in the vertical position and allow acid to react with the samples overnight.

Please provide samples and a file with sample number and namn.

 

CH stable isotopes of methane

Please contact SIL at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

CN stable isotopes amino acid and fatty acid

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Department of Geological Sciences
Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden | Phone: +46 (0)8 16 20 00