Sample Preparation - Carbonate | Stable Isotope Facility

Sample Preparation for Powdered Carbonates by GasBench-IRMS

Submitting Carbonate Samples for ¹³C and/or ¹⁸O analysis

Carbonate and apatite samples must be dried to constant weight to remove water, and then powdered to a fine flour-like homogeneous consistency before shipment to the SIF. The SIF does not have the capability to powder samples.

Please send a minimum of 3 mg of dried, powdered carbonate per sample, or 10 mg of powdered apatite per sample.
Store and ship powdered samples in wide-mouth 1 dram glass vials with tight-fitting caps. Plastic tubes or large vials make sample recovery difficult.
Label each vial with a unique Sample ID# as your data will be reported using this ID#.

Please contact us in advance if you plan to prepare apatite/carbonate samples (with 103% H₃PO₄) in 12-ml Exetainer vials yourself.

Supplies

Manufacturer / Part#	Description	Unit
Labco UK No label (9RK8W) With Label (9RK9W)	12 ml Borosilicate Exetainer Vials - Wide Thread, Round Bottomed, Non-Evacuated White Cap, No label (9RK8W), Labelled (9RK9W)	Case of 1000
EA Consumables / E2864 (US Distributor for Labco#9RK8W)	12 ml Borosilicate Exetainer Vials - Wide Thread, Round Bottomed, Non-Evacuated White Cap, No label (9RK8W)	Pack of 1000
EA Consumables / E2864-100 (US Distributor for Labco#9RK8W)	12 ml Borosilicate Exetainer Vials - Wide Thread, Round Bottomed, Non-Evacuated White Cap, No label (9RK8W)	Pack of 100
Qorpak / GLC-00980	Clear Screw Thread Sample Vials wide-mouth, 1 dram, 15 x 45 mm	Pack of 144

Shipping

Carefully package your vials in Ziploc bags, small boxes, or their original boxes with dividers to prevent glass-on-glass impact. Then package these sets in a larger sturdy box with Styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap. Make sure the samples are well cushioned on all sides; loose vials can break during shipping. Coolers will not be returned.

Please complete and submit the online Analysis Order Form and Sample List for your samples. Indicate on the Sample List the type of carbonate material you are submitting (e.g., apatite, calcium carbonate, lithium carbonate, etc.). Also, be sure to include a printed copy with your samples. The SIF uses this form to track your samples and to contact you regarding receipt of samples, data, and invoicing. For mixed analysis requests, we require completing a separate form for each type of analysis.