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SERCON µCARBS
The Sercon µCarbs is optimised for isotopic analysis of carbonates and DIC
SERCON µCARBS
The measurement of stable isotopes in the carbonate shells of organisms which lived and died in our oceans and fell to ocean floor is possible through the analysis of sediment cores and sedimentary rocks. The δ18O signature of water in the oceans is dependent upon the temperature of the Earth and this signature is taken up into the shells of organisms, therefore we have a proxy for past ocean temperatures.
The measurement of DIC in modern samples allows for an analysis of the sources and sinks of atmospheric trace gases, vital information in the drafting of international protocols within which countries around the world seek to work in an attempt to mitigate the effects of climate change. The necessity for accurate and precise measurements of these isotopic signatures is therefore paramount. Both carbonate and DIC analysis require the delivery of phosphoric acid to samples, in order that CO2 be released into the headspace of the sample vial (after it is flushed with helium) and then transferred to the IRMS for isotopic analysis.
The Sercon µCarbs is optimised for isotopic analysis of carbonates and DIC. Two needles are used, one for acid delivery, the other for sampling, in order that the sampling needle is not blocked or corroded by the acid. The acid reservoir is kept at an elevated temperature inside the heated sample tray, in order that the acid viscosity is kept low. The acid delivery line is kept as short as possible, in order that the acid does not have time to cool between the reservoir and the sample vial. The µCarbs can be run in both continuous flow and dual inlet mode, for use with the Sercon HS2022 and GEO-HS2022 IRMS instruments.
Features
- Dual needle system with separate needles for acid delivery and headspace flush / sample transfer which optimise flow rates and minimise blockages
- Temperature programmable heated sample tray optimises reaction rates (±0.1°C)
- Sample tray holds up to 191 6ml or 12ml vials which can be analysed in a single, unattended run. Alternative trays can be provided for larger vials
- Phosphoric acid reservoir held within the heated sample tray ensures smooth acid delivery and minimises acid crystallisation
- Acid resistant lids manufactured from Peek material on the sample trays minimises acid corrosion
- The hyphenated µCarbs-HS2022 system generates high precision isotopic data from carbonate and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) samples. The high sensitivity source in the HS2022 ensures excellent precision at extremely small sample sizes
- The flexible system also allows the stable isotopes of water to be analysed via water equilibration and gas analysis such as CO2 in breath or atmospheric samples
Software
- Total software control of the instrument system and data processing with Sercon Calisto software
- Allows storage of sample analysis protocols to comply with good laboratory practice
- Standby mode to preserve consumable life during periods of low use
- Software controlled oxygen injection to match sample requirements thereby preserving the life of the consumables
- Inter-file import/export facility from instrument PC to laboratory server or internet (allows rapid updating of software or transfer to common spreadsheet packages)
- Fully compatible with all versions of Windows
Application Notes
µCARBS
Continuous Flow Isotopic Analysis of Small Carbonate Samples (10-90µg) using a Sercon EA-IRMS
Quantifying carbonate concentration alongside the measurement of isotope ratios in sediment samples via continuous flow IRMS analysis
Continuous Flow Isotopic Analysis of Small Carbonate Samples (10-90µg) Using a Sercon EA-IRMS or G Preparation Unit
Service
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Visit our service area to find out how we can support you with service contracts, emergency visits, upgrades, system refurbishments and training.
You can log service and support calls online to help our engineers to provide solutions.
Product News
Aramco Saudi Visit
Aramco Saudi Visit May saw Senior Field Service & Installation Engineer Dave Harris at Aramco, Saudi Arabia for an instrument service & applications training visit for Norah Bin Mashan, who oversees the lab, and her team. The lab team will be running 13C/18O...
Announcement – Collaboration with Isotopx
Collaboration with Isotopx The collaboration between Sercon Instruments and Isotopx that led to the development of SIRIX IRMS, a new solution for clumped isotopes and small carbonates, has its roots back in 2004, when Sercon’s Director Garry Armstrong, worked at GV...
What do you get when
Don't miss out! What do you get when you integrate an Isotopx SIRIX IRMS, a Sercon µCarbs carbonate sample preparation system and Sercon dual inlet? If CO2 isotopologues, clumped isotopes and small carbonates are your thing, you’re going to want to know more - follow...
University of Houston
University of Houston Our first attempt to install a uCarbs system with verSA and Heated Block for Carbonates analysis at the University of Houston in Texas had to be abandoned earlier this year because of Hurricane Beryl. Engineer James Hanson led the successful...
Argentina Installation
Argentina Installation Visit Systems Engineer James Hanson recently worked with Jenck S.A. Instrumental, Sercon’s agent in Argentina, to complete an installation at Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata in Argentina. Once the installations – an HTEA, a CryoPrep, an...