IRMS

PCIGR’s IRMS instruments are used for light stable isotope analyses in a variety of applications, such as geology, biology and archaeology. Our systems can handle gas, liquid and solid samples.

Please note: We only accept natural abundance isotope samples (i.e., no artificially enriched isotope samples).

September 2025: We are no longer accepting sediment samples. 

Make/modelInterfacePeripheral
Thermo Scientific Delta V PlusContinuous flowGasBench, 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 for determining carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotopes in liquid, gaseous and solid samples. Acquired in 2012 by UBC Laboratory of Archaeology and installed at PCIGR in 2024, the Delta V Plus is connected to a GasBench, an Isolink II gas chromatograph and an Elementar elemental analyzer.

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 

Interfaced with the Delta V Plus, the GasBench is used for automated acid digestion and analysis of δ13C and δ18O isotopes in biological and archaeological carbonates, including:

  • Tooth enamel
  • Bone
  • Shells
  • Paleosol and soil carbonates
  • Otoliths

Connected to an IsoLink II Gas Chromatograph-Combustion (GC-C) interface, the Delta V Plus  perform compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) of δ13C and δ15N in derivatized liquid samples for: 

  • Amino acids
  • Fatty acids
  • Leaf waxes

At present, GC-C analyses are not available on a commercial basis. If you have a project needing development, contact us for potential collaborations.  

Connected to an Elementar Vario Micro Cube EA, the analysis of δ13Corg and δ15Nbulk on the Delta V Plus is possible for solid samples, including:

  • plant matter (except wood)
  • hair/fur
  • animal tissue, bones and teeth
  • foods
  • pharmaceuticals

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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