Welcome to the USC Climate Change Research Group Laboratory

  • The laboratory is equipped with three light stable isotope ratio mass spectrometers (IRMS). This includes one Thermo Scientific Delta Advantage, a Micromass Isoprime and a Nu Instruments Perspective .

  • One IRMS instrument coupled to high temperature EA for pyrolysis. These instruments measure δ18O and δD from a variety of compounds.

  • One of the IRMS instruments is equipped with a low temperature EA for combustion and measurements of δ13C and δ15N.

  • One IRMS instrument equipped with dual inlet. The Nu Instruments Perspective (see below) with multiprep is used to measure conventional δ18O and δ13C and clumped isotopes of carbonates via acidification.

The Lab is also equipped with a JY Instrument Inductively Coupled Atomic Emission Spectrometer for elemental measurements and a Picarro Ring Down Cavity Spectrometer for δ18O and δD measurements of   water samples.

  • Thermo Fisher Delta-V with TCEA and EA

    We use this instrument for measuring δ18O and δD in cellulose extracted from trees to reconstruct the isotope composition of precipitation, which gives the cellulose its distinct δ18O and δD

    Nu Instruments, Perspective w/Dual Inlet

    Equipped with microvolume CO2 cold finger and autoprep device for individual acid injections for small (down to 10ug CaCO3) carbonate δ18O and δ13C analyses and clumped isotopes.

  • This is the Jobin Yvon ICP-AES instrument. It is used for elemental analyses.

    This instrument is equipped with both polychromater and monochromater. The polychromator allows for simultaneous measurement of various elements such as Mg and Ca in carbonates.

  • Picarro Instruments

    Cavity Ring Down Spectrometer

    For Stable Isotope Measurements on Water Samples

    • Simultaneous, high precision measurements δ18O and δD
      • δ18O < 0.07o/oo, δD <0.2o/oo typical liquid performance
    • High throughout operation (40 samples per day)
      • δ18O < 0.15o/oo, δD <0.6o/oo typical performance

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