ISOLAB Facility – Isotopes in Biogenic Silica

AWI - Alfred Wegener Institute
last updated: July 19, 2023

About the Laboratory

ISOLAB Facility – Isotopes in Biogenic Silica

AWI - Alfred Wegener Institute
@ Geosciences / Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems
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Description

We use a PDZ Europa 2020 Mass Spectrometer (MS-2020; now supplied by Sercon Ltd., UK) with a coupled self-constructed laser fluorination line for analyzing stable oxygen isotopes in biogenic silica samples (diatoms, radiolaria, sponge spicules). Our research focuses mainly on Arctic lake systems. For measuring stable oxygen isotopes in biogenic silica, a sediment sample undergoes several preparation steps including wet chemistry and heavy liquid separation to achieve a pure opal sample (> 97% SiO₂). δ¹⁸O and δ³⁰Si can be measured at the same sample aliquot in close cooperation with the Opal Isotope Lab in Bremerhaven.

Instruments


  • Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometer

Analytical Methods

  • Laser Fluorination
    Oxygen Extraction

  • Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometry

Laboratory Keywords

  • Biogenic Opal
  • Stable Oxygen Isotopes on Biogenic Silica (Diatoms)
  • δ³⁰Si
  • δ¹⁸O

Disciplines

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