Abstract
An on-line pyrolysis technique is described for analysis of δ2H and δ18O by continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry. A pyrolysis furnace packed with nickel, on which carbon is deposited as required, is shown to give efficient conversion of nanomole quantities of sample material to H2 and CO. A water trap and postpyrolysis gas chromatograph separate analyte gases from traces of H2O and CO2. The isotope ratio mass spectrometer used gives adequate separation of 2H1H+ and 4He+ to allow use of He as carrier gas. The pyrolysis technique provides a rapid method for analysis of water with a precision of ±2‰ for δ2H and ±0.3‰ for δ18O. Similar precisions are obtained for injections of 0.5 μL of urine and volatile organic compounds. Memory between samples is <2% for both δ2H and δ18O measurement. The technique is accurate over a wide range of enrichment for both δ2H and δ18O and is suitable for use in natural abundance and tracer studies of liquid samples.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.