CHN Analysis

Before collecting samples, filters must be pre-combusted at 450°C for 30 minutes. Whatman filters, either GFC or GFF, provide low background contamination and are highly preferred.  Filters up to 25mm in diameter are analyzed whole and are considered as ‘Regular’ on our rate schedule. Larger filters up to 47mm in diameter are too big to analyze whole and must be cut in half for analysis. Both halves are analyzed simultaneously, but these samples fall under the "Double-drop" analysis on our rate schedule.

 

After collection, filters should be placed in a 60°C drying oven and must be submitted completely dry. They should contain no more than 4mg of dried material.  If more than 4mg of material is present, or if you have other concerns, please contact the Analytical Lab.  Be sure to include filter blanks along with the samples.

 

Filters submitted to the Analytical Lab for Organic Carbon analysis (TOC) should be treated with 10% v/v hydrochloric acid (HCl) to remove inorganic carbonates.  After acidification, filters should be placed in a 60°C drying oven and must be submitted completely dry. The Analytical Lab can provide the Acidification service upon request.

 

Glass or plastic scintillation-type vials are the preferred containers, but plastic petri dishes with lids or glassine envelopes work well also.  Wrapping filters in aluminum foil is acceptable, but not recommended as filters have a tendency to stick to the foil during drying.  

 

Biological samples typically require 2-3mg of sample per analysis.  For materials with low organic content, a larger amount of material will be analyzed to provide optimal precision. We ask that 10-100mg of sample be provided. If less than 10mg of material is available, or if you have other concerns, please contact the Analytical Lab.

 

Samples must be thoroughly dried and finely ground to a powder.  Sample homogeneity is usually the limiting factor for analytical precision.

 

Screw-cap glass vials are the preferred containers.

 

Geological samples typically require 10-50mg of sample per analysis. For materials with ultra low organic content, two aliquots may be analyzed simultaneously. These samples fall under the "Double-drop" analysis on our rate schedule. We ask that 100-1000mg of sample be provided.

 

Geological materials submitted to the Analytical Lab for Organic Carbon analysis (TOC) should be treated with 10% v/v hydrochloric acid (HCl) to remove inorganic carbonates.  After acidification, samples should be placed in a 60°C drying oven and must be submitted completely dry. The Analytical Lab can provide the Acidification service upon request.

 

Samples must be thoroughly dried and finely ground to a powder. Sample homogeneity is usually the limiting factor for analytical precision.

 

Screw-cap glass vials are the preferred sample containers.

Synthetic samples typically require 1-2mg of sample per analysis, but sample size requirements vary depending on the theoretical elemental composition of synthetic samples. We ask that 10mg of sample be provided. If less than 10mg of material is available, or if you have other concerns, please contact the Analytical Lab.

 

Samples must be thoroughly dried and finely ground to a powder. Sample homogeneity is usually the limiting factor for analytical precision.

 

Screw-cap glass vials are the preferred sample containers.

 

The Analytical Lab does not prepare samples for analysis in a glove box. If you are submitting atmosphere-sensitive or hazardous materials, please contact the Analytical Lab with details and we’ll do our best to work with you.

 

Analysts