New instrument provides all three stable isotope ratios continuously

The first instrument in the world that can provide simultaneous and continuous stable isotope ratios from delta-13C, delta-17O, and delta-18O has been revealed by Los Gatos Research (LGR).

The new laboratory product provides all three stable isotope ratios for CO2, straight from ambient air samples without the requirement of pre-concentration. The data can sample rates up to 10 Hz, and the Triple Isotope CO2 Analyzer provides a real-time and field-portable results which overcome problems caused by traditional, lab-bound isotope ratio mass spec (IRMS).

The LGR analyzer has no cross-sensitivity to methane or other hydrocarbons, and can therefore take direct measurements in ambient air with high methane levels, or even in natural gas. Additionally, the Triple Isotope CO2 Analyzer can record measurements in continuously flowing air samples and also be used to measure discrete volume samples via syringe injection.

The equipment could be used for greenhouse gas and atmospheric constituent in the future, owing to the Triple Isotope CO2 Analyzer's capability to measure all the stable isotopologues of carbon dioxide (12CO2, 13CO2, C18O16O and 12C17O16O) simultaneously.

Posted by Fiona Griffiths