Stable Isotope Laboratory

Chinese version中文

Location:

Rm 2N04, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building,

The University of Hong Kong,
Pokfulam Road,

Hong Kong

For enquiries, please contact Ms. Kit-sum LEUNG

Tel: (852) 3917 3651

E-mail: kitsuml@hku.hk

Lab Equipment

There are three Continuous Flow-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (CF-IRMS) systems in the Stable Isotope Laboratory at HKU which serves research and teaching needs for stable isotope ratio users.

System 1:

Brand: (EA) Eurovector / (IRMS) Nu Perspective

Model: (EA) EA3028 / (IRMS), Nu Perspective

Samples are oxidized, followed by reduction inside the elemental analyzer to convert into CO₂ and N₂. The gases are separated by packed column gas chromatography and analyzed by the IRMS. The equipment is used for analyzing the isotope ratios of C and N in organic matter (plant/animal tissue) and sediments.

System 2:

Brand: (GC) Agilent / (IRMS) Nu Perspective

Model: (GC) 7890A / (IRMS), Nu Perspective

Volatile organic compounds are first separated by capillary gas chromatography, followed by oxidation to convert in to CO₂ and analyzed by the IRMS. This instrument is used for analyzing the isotope ratios of C of individual compounds, such as amino acids, from geological and environmental samples.

System 3:

Brand: EA / IRMS

Model: (EA) EA Isolink/ (Gas Bench) Gas Bench II/ (IRMS) Thermo Delta V Advantage

This isotope ratio mass spectrometer is interfaced with 2 different sample preparation units:

1. Elemental Analyzer

A temperature ramped GC is included in this EA. As a result, the analysis time for each sample can be reduced with improved separation, making it suitable for measurement of the isotope ratio sulphur, as well as nitrogen and carbon of bulk organic substrates.

2. Gas Bench with Denitrification Kit

Gas Bench is an innovative solution for high precision on-line isotope and molecular ratio determination of headspace samples. Gas sample is entrained in a helium stream via a sampling needle. The gas then passes through a CO₂ scrubber (Ascarite) and N₂O is trapped and concentrated in liquid nitrogen cryo-traps. The N₂O is carried by helium to the IRMS via a gas chromatography column which separates N₂O from the interfering gases. This equipment is mainly used to measure gaseous nitrogen or nitrogen oxides, which are created by biological decomposition of samples containing nitrogen.

Price

The primary analysis performed in our lab are listed below. Please contact the lab staff before submitting the samples to determine the requirement and other services needed. (E-mail: kitsuml@hku.hk, Tel: 2299 0651)

Remarks:

* Price is for full service only. If users can prepare and run the samples on their own after training, we can offer a better price. Please ask the lab staff for details.

Personnel

Dr. David M. Baker (Director of SIRMS and Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences)

Ms. Kit-sum Leung (Senior Technical Officer)