High precision stable isotope analysis of carbonate and water samples for paleoclimate applications using the Elementar iso DUAL INLET

Paleoclimate research is important for understanding past, current and future climate, providing the data needed to model and predict current and future climate change scenarios. Stable isotope analysis provides an essential tool for gathering past climate information from natural archives such as waters including ice-cores, ground waters, and biological waters; and carbonate materials such as foraminifera and other fossilized carbonates. Due to the often limited and small sample sizes available for stable isotope analysis it is vital that highly precise and accurate analysis can be carried out on the smallest of sample sizes.

Dual inlet technology remains the most precise, accurate and sensitive technique for pure gas, carbonate and water analysis. The Elementar iso DUAL INLET is a valuable tool for paleoclimate applications, enabling the analysis of pure gas samples within an incredibly compact footprint via our powerful lyticOS software suite. The 14-ultra low dead volume valves with bodies machined from a single block of high purity stainless steel and dedicated turbomolecular pump for the changeover valve guarantees zero residual memory effects between reference and sample gas.

The iso DUAL INLET can be optionally enhanced for the automated analysis of carbonate and water samples. With the iso AQUA PREP enhancement, up to 180 water samples can be analysed achieving δ¹⁸O precision better than 0.05‰ (1σ, n=10) and δD precision better than 1‰ (1σ, n=10), for any environmental water sample. The iso CARB PREP enhancement enables automated analysis of up to 180 micro-fossil samples for ¹³C and ¹⁸O down to 20μg sample size. For the highest productivity, both carbonate and water analysis can be performed with the iso MULTI PREP enhancement with switching between modes needing simply a change of needle. The IRMS collector configuration can also be upgraded for “clumped isotope analysis” of carbonate materials.

We will highlight the performance of the iso DUAL INLET with carbonate and water functionality across a range of sample types for paleoclimate applications, supporting researchers building a detailed understanding of the past to better inform policy makers for the future.