Organic and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Analytical Research Facility (OSI-BARF)

The biogeochemistry laboratories at the LLO are focused on organic and stable isotopic analysis of natural samples. Currently, the labs house UIC carbon and sulfur coulometers, a Lachat nutrient flow-injection autoanalyzer, UV/vis spectrophotometers, a Costech Elemental Analyzer, as well as Gas Chromatograph and GC/Mass Spectrometer systems for organic geochemical analyses.

With funding from NSF-Major Research Instrumentation Program, the organic geochemistry lab at the LLO is purchasing a triple quadrupole liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer (LC/MS) system in 2010. The LC/MS will have APCI and ESI sources, and a diode array detector as well as the MS detector. It will also have an autosampler and fraction collector for preparative work.

The centerpiece of the stable isotope lab is a Finnigan Delta Plus XP isotope ratio monitoring mass spectrometer with multiple inlet devices for the analysis of light stable isotopes (C, H, O, N, S) in a diverse array of natural samples. The inlets include a Costech EA for bulk samples, HP 6890 GC for specific organic compounds, a GasBench II for carbonates and waters, and a dual inlet for other sample types prepared offline.

A separate organic chemistry lab houses a Shimadzu TOC-VSH Total Carbon Analyzer, a ThermoFinnegan LCQ Duo mass spectrometer interfaced to an HPLC, a second HPLC for analysis and fraction collection, a Nicolet FTIR, a scanning UV-Visible light spectrophotometer, an epifluorescence microscope, and an EPICS C flow cytometer.