Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Sample Preparation
 

CO₂ gas samples should be sent in septum-capped vials preferably at atmospheric pressure (~100 kpa), but pressures up to 200 kpa are acceptable. Optimal CO₂ gas concentration range is ambient to 20,000 ppm, with a maximum of 50,000 ppm; higher concentrations can be subsampled for a fee.

Gas concentration data (ppm) are required for each sample.

Sample vials are 12 mL Exetainers (Labco Ltd, High Wycombe, UK), but others may be acceptable with prior arrangement. Please note, the wide (###W/W) 12 mL Exetainers supplied by Labco do not fit our autosampler trays and should not be used (see supplies table below). Sample containers should be evacuated prior to sample collection. The caps should be finger-tight; do not over-tighten the caps as the septa will pucker and potentially compromise the seal.

We do not accept gas samples collected in BD Vacutainers with press-fit caps.

Label each vial with a unique Sample ID#, and record the sample details on a Sample List; your data will be reported using the Sample ID#. An estimate of the CO₂ gas concentration in your samples will help us prepare laboratory reference materials in the appropriate range.

To ensure the best possible analysis, test samples should accompany ¹³C-enriched samples when the maximum level of ¹³C-enrichment is unknown or cannot be estimated. Questions? Contact Rick Doucett

Supplies

*Note: Labco has a wider vial style that ends in ###W/W.  We DO NOT accept these vials at the SIF because the vials are too wide for our autosampler racks.