IRMS

PCIGR’s IRMS instruments are used for light stable isotope analyses in a variety of applications, such as geology, biology and archaeology.

Notes: 
We only accept natural abundance isotope samples (i.e., no artificially enriched isotope samples).
We accept soil and sediment samples only on a case-by-case basis (non-commercial service).
We do not accept samples on glass fibre filters (GFF) 

Make/modelInterfacePeripheral
Thermo Scientific Delta V PlusContinuous flowEA, GasBench, IsoLink II GCC
Nu Instruments Horizon: Coming Soon!  
PCIGR's IRMS lab with Delta V Plus IRMS and peripheral equipment

Stable Isotope Laboratory at PCIGR. Delta V Plus IRMS (Right) with GC, Gasbench and elemental analyzer (Left). Photo: A. Chang

Delta VThermo Scientific Delta V Plus

The Thermo Scientific Delta V Plus is a versatile continuous-flow IRMS. The system was acquired in 2012 by UBC Laboratory of Archaeology and installed at PCIGR in 2024. The Delta V Plus is equipped with the following features:

  • ConFlo IV Universal Continuous Flow Interface
  • Sensitivity of 1100 molecules per CO2 ion with continuous flow
  • Fast switching magnetic analyzer with ability to measure 3 isotope ratios in a single sample injection
  • Faraday collectors for C, N and O isotopes 

The Delta V Plus is plumbed into peripheral analyzers for the analysis of a variety of samples. We are able to analyze materials for light stable isotopes that fit into the following categories:

  • carbon and nitrogen isotopes in organic materials (plants, extracted bone collagen, feathers, muscle, keratin, etc.) via an Elementar Vario Micro Cube Elemental Analyzer
  • carbon and oxygen isotopes in carbonates (soil carbonates, carbonate rocks, tooth enamel, fish otoliths, shells, etc.) via phosphoric acid digestion using a GasBench

We can provide %C and %N (elemental concentration) alongside stable isotope values, but we do not offer a stand-alone elemental concentration service at this time.

The Delta V Plus is also connected to an IsoLink II Gas Chromatograph-Combustion (GC-C) interface for carbon and nitrogen compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) in derivatized liquid samples, such as amino acids, fatty acids and leaf waxes. These analyses are not available on a commercial basis. If you have a project needing development, contact us for potential collaborations.  

Contact Dr. Kendra Chritz for details on instrumentation and submitting samples.
Consult the Fees page for analytical costs.

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First Nations land acknowledegement

We acknowledge that the UBC Point Grey campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm.

Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research

Earth and Ocean Sciences Main Building (EOSM), 6339 Stores Road
Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z4

Shared Research Platforms are facilities funded jointly by the Office of the VP, Research and Innovation and Faculties and departments for the purpose of offering specialized research services to UBC and external research communities.

UBC receives support for managing its research enterprise from the federal Research Support Fund.

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