Water isotope analytics–Mass spectrometry

Two Finnigan MAT Delta-S Mass Spectrometers are used for Stable Water Isotope Analytics (δ¹⁸O, δ D) in the Stable Isotope Laboratory at AWI Potsdam since many years. The widely identical Mass Spectrometers are coupled with two equilibration units (each with 24 sample positions) to measure hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of water and ice samples. The equilibration technique uses thermally constant GFL water shaking baths units. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of water and ice samples are measured from the same aliquot (ca. 3 ml). A full measuring sequence comprises 48 samples incl. standards and takes about 2 days for both hydrogen and oxygen isotopes.

The water isotope analytics is a clear focus of the ISOLAB Facility at AWI Potsdam and tackles various scientific reseach questions in the fields of permafrost research, hydrology, limnology, marine geochemistry and glaciology.

The AWI Potsdam Laboratory has a well-equipped storage with spare parts for Delta-S mass spectrometers.