• ANCA-TGII (Automated Nitrogen Carbon Analyser – Trace Gases) interfaced with a SerCon 20-20 IRMS (SysCon electronics) with cryogenic trapping and focusing of samples
• Measurement of ¹⁵N-N₂, ¹⁵N-N₂O, ¹⁸O-N₂O, ¹³C-CO₂, ¹⁸O-CO₂ and ¹³C-CH₄ at natural abundance and slightly enriched (<10 atom%) gas samples
• Possibility to measure ¹⁵N in nitrate and ammonium via conversion to N₂O
• Simultaneous measurement of ¹⁵N and ¹⁸O of NO₃^-converted to N₂O by denitrifying bacteria Pseudomonas aureofaciens from fresh- and seawater samples at natural abundance and slightly enriched samples (<5 atom%)

Trace gasses: prices and practical information

ISOFYS provides ¹³C, ¹⁵N and ¹⁸O isotope analysis of N₂, N₂O, CO₂ and CH₄ using a trace gas unit interfaced with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS).

Equipment details

Trace gas isotope ratios are measured using a PDZ Europa TGII interfaced to a SerCon 20-20 IRMS with SysCon electronics (Sercon Ltd., Cheshire, UK). The samples are measured relative to laboratory standards, which are adjusted to the sample and have been calibrated against international standards by Iso-Analytical. The final delta unit is expressed relative to international standards VPDB (Vienna PeeDee Belmenite) for ¹³C, AIR for ¹⁵N and VSMOW2 (Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water) for ¹⁸O.

Pricing

All prices are in EURO and exclude VAT (21%) and Ghent University overhead (17%)

See below for extra fees.

All prices are in EURO and exclude VAT (21%) and University overhead (17%)

Samples are queued for each analysis according to the order of receipt. 

Sample preparation and shipping 

Gas samples are supplied in septum-capped vials preferably at atmospheric pressure. 12mL Exetainers (Labco Ltd, High Wycombe, UK) (order number: 738W non-labelled non-evacuated 12 mL vials) should be used.

The exetainers should be evacuated prior to sample collection. Label each vial with a permanent marker. If you want to use labels put them on the top 2 cm.

For the bacterial conversion of NO₃^-, the samples should be filtered on a 0.45µm filter and sent frozen to ISOFYS. The samples should contain at least 0.2 mg NO₃^- N L^-1. For the analysis, we request a minimum sample size of 30 mL.

For the chemical conversion of NH₄⁺, NO₃^- and NO₂^- the samples should be filtered over a 0.45µm filter and send frozen to ISOFYS. The samples should contain at least 1.7 mg NH₄⁺-N L^-1, 2.8 mg NO₃-N L^-1 and 0.015 mg NO₂-N L^-1. For the analysis, we request a minimum sample size of 120 mL.