Stable Isotope Geochemistry at the University
of Waikato is carried out under the auspices
of the Department
of Earth Sciences, with contributing
expertise from the Department of Chemistry.
This facility is largely dedicated to
the measurement of stable oxygen and carbon
isotope ratios in carbonates, although
determinations on prepared CO2 can
also be performed. For carbon and nitrogen
isotope determinations on organic materials,
please refer to the Waikato
Stable Isotope Unit.
The measured isotopic variations are a
function of the fractionation processes
and the original isotopic compositions
of the starting materials. The results
may give information on the temperature
of formation of rocks and minerals, including
fossils; and the chemical and physical
processes that have affected rocks during
or following their formation. The analysis
of foraminifera can be used to elucidate
the temperature, salinity and productivity
of the seawater in which they lived, enabling
palaeoenvironmental reconstructions to
be made.
Instrumentation
The workhorse of the facility is a Europa
Scientific Penta 20-20 isotope ratio mass
spectrometer. This instrument was purchased
in 1995, and was completely overhauled
and brought up to the current Geo specification
by PDZ
Europa in 2002.
 |
| GEO 20-20 Dual Inlet
Mass Isotope Ratio Spectrometer,
Source: PDZ
Europa |
The 20-20 has an integral manifold for
the introduction of prepared gas samples,
and has attached the automated CAPS (Carbonate
Automatic Preparation System) for the
determination of 13C/12C
and 18O/16O from
biogenic and inorganic calcite. CO2 gas
is liberated from CaCO3 via
the reaction with orthophosphoric acid.
The CAPS was developed jointly between
Europa Scientific and Waikato University
in 1995/96, and also brought up to current
specification in 2002.
Prices
The facility is run on a cost-recovery
basis, so must charge for usage, and the
current charges (in $NZ) are given below.
All work must be prepaid or accompanied
by a purchase order. Rates do not include
G.S.T. which will be added for New Zealand
customers.
| Carbonates (12C & 16O) |
$50.00 |
| CO2 gas (12C & 16O) |
$30.00 |
Prices are indicative only and may vary
depending on batch size, preparation and
set-up times, handling and courier fees,
basis of work being carried out and other
variables.
Reporting times
Results are generally reported within
three to four weeks of receipt of sample.
More specific advice on reporting times
will be given at the time of sample receipt.
All requested isotopes measured are presented
in a report format.
Reporting time may be longer if large
batches of samples are submitted or if
the nature of the material is such that
special processing methods are required.
We may be able to process urgent samples
within several days at a priority rate,
subject to current laboratory workloads.
Contact
Mr
Steve Cooke BSc, PGDipSc (Waikato) -
Technical Officer / Laboratory Manager
Tel: +64-7-858 5163
Fax: +64-7-856 0115
E-mail: s.cooke@waikato.ac.nz
Disclaimer
All care is taken by The University of
Waikato, and the Department of Earth Sciences
to provide accurate, standardised results.
All analyses are bracketed with known
standards which are related to the common
isotope standard. While the University
undertakes to implement the best possible
analytical techniques and procedures,
it cannot be held liable for the way in
which the results are used by clients
or third parties.
This facility will return to you data
and basic information on techniques etc,
however it is not the facilities job to
design the project and interpret the data.
Work requiring facility input (in helping
to develop techniques, advising on sampling,
data or results etc) is properly joint
research and may be carried out with a
view to co-authorship.
For more services please see the School's
services page.
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