Combined 13C and 15N isotope analysis on small samples using a near‐conventional elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometer setup. (25th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Langel, Reinhard; Dyckmans, Jens
• Is Part Of: Rapid communications in mass spectrometry. Volume 28:Number 9(2014)
• Page Start: 1019
• Page End: 1022
• Publication Date: 2014-03-25
• Subjects: Mass spectrometry -- Periodicals; 543.65
• DOI: 10.1002/rcm.6878
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-4198

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="rcm6878-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>RATIONALE</title> <p>A high sensitivity elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometer setup was developed to allow analysis of <sup>13</sup>C and <sup>15</sup>N isotopic composition on microgram amounts of C and N, respectively.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcm6878-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>METHODS</title> <p>Increased sensitivity of a conventional elemental analyzer equipped with a low blank autosampler was obtained by decreased carrier gas flow of 35 mL/min. The diameters of the oxidation and reduction reactors and water trap were reduced to 7.8, 7.8 and 4 mm i.d., respectively, to obtain sharp sample peaks in the mass spectrometer. To increase the lifetime of the reduction reactor, a 1:1 He/O<sub>2</sub> mixture was used as oxidizing agent in the elemental analyzer.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcm6878-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p>Sample amounts of 0.6 µg N and 1 µg C were sufficient for accurate isotopic analysis with <1 ‰ standard error after blank correction. One major advantage of the setup is the easy switching between conventional EA and μEA as only consumable parts need to be exchanged.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcm6878-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> <p>The proposed setup proved to be suitable to analyze minute amounts of C and N in one analytical run simultaneously. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>