Facilities/Instrumentation
The Urban Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory encompasses several different laboratories within the Science Complex.
Sample preparation and storage
(SC 1150 and 1152)
Samples can be prepared for analysis in SC 1150 and elsewhere. Sample preparation equipment can be used to
- Grind, crush, and powder samples: ball mill grinders, shatterbox (via Geology/PAGS), automated mortar and pestle, rock saw (via Geology/PAGS), jaw crusher (via Geology/PAGS)
- Melt samples: autofluxer
- Keep samples cold: refrigerators and walk-in freezer (–20 deg C)
- Digest and/or dissolve samples in a trace-metal free clean lab environment using a microwave digestor or a hot plate
Instruments housed in the new lab suite include the ICP-MS, XRF, CN analyzer, CHNOS elemental analyzer, discrete analyzer, and ion chromatograph.
Physical analysis of samples
(SC 1150 and 2332)
- Sieve shaker
- Particle size analyzer
Major laboratory instrumentation for (biogeo)chemical and mineralogical/phase analysis
(SC 1154, 1360, 5331B)
- Carbon and nitrogen analyzer
- Carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur elemental analyzer for solid samples
- Discrete analyzer for nutrient and chemical analyses
- Ion chromatograph (IC) for cation and anion analyses (dual column)
- Bench-top powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD)
- Wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (WDXRF)
- Inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES)
- Triple-quadrupole inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS)
- Time-of-flight inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-TOFMS) with a laser ablation unit
Agilent 8900 ICP-QQQ
The Agilent 8900 ICP-QQQ (triple quadrupole) system measures concentrations of inorganic elements into the low part-per-trillion (ppt) level as well as isotopic ratios. An auto-sampler allows for unattended operation.
Agilent 5900 ICP-OES
The Agilent 5900 ICP-OES (inductively-coupled optical emission spectrometer) measures concentrations of inorganic elements into the part-per-billion (ppb) level as well as isotopic ratios. An auto-sampler allows for unattended operation.
Seal AQ1 Discrete Analyzer
The Seal AQ1 Discrete Analyzer is a versatile, automated spectrophometric instrument that can quantify a wide variety of elements and/or compounds in liquid samples. Currently we have methods for determining silica, orthophosphorus, total phosphorus, nitrogen from ammonia, and nitrogen from nitrate + nitrite.
Rigaku Primus IV XRF
The Rigaku Primus IV wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer measures elemental concentrations from parts-per-million to weight percent. Samples are typically made into a glass fusion bead. Almost any material that can be prepared in this manner can be analyzed by the XRF. Analysis of pressed pellets or dissolved samples is also possible as is spatial mapping of small thin discs. A built-in auto-sampler allows for unattended operation.
Rigaku Miniflex Tabletop XRD
The Rigaku Miniflex tabletop X-Ray diffractometer (XRD) measures diffraction patterns for powdered samples, allowing for structural characterization of materials.
Thermo ICS-6000 ion chromatograph
The Thermo ICS-6000 ion chromatograph characterizes and quantifies anions, such as chloride, nitrate, and sulfate, and cations, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, in liquid samples. A Thermo AS-AP auto-sampler allows for random-access sampling and selection of injection volume.
Shimadzu TOC-L NC analyzer
The Shimadzu TOC-L NC analyzer quantifies total nitrogen, total carbon, and total organic carbon in liquid samples.
Elementar EL Cube CNS Elemental Analyzer
The Elementar EL Cube CNS Elemental Analyzer quantifies total carbon, nitrogen, and/or sulfur in solid samples.
CEM Mars 6 Microwave Digestion System
The CEM Mars 6 Microwave Digestion System digests solid and liquid samples for further analysis.
Beckman-Coulter LS 13 320 XR Particle Size Analyzer
The Beckman-Coulter LS 13 320 XR Particle Size Analyzer measures the size distribution of particles suspended in liquid using the principles of light scattering.