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High‐throughput method for simultaneous quantification of N, C and S stable isotopes and contents in organics and soils
Author(s) -
Mambelli Stefania,
Brooks Paul D.,
Sutka Robin,
Hughes Scott,
Finstad Kari M.,
Nelson Joey Pakes,
Dawson Todd E.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.7605
Subject(s) - chemistry , isotope , soil water , stable isotope ratio , isotope ratio mass spectrometry , nitrogen , isotope analysis , analytical chemistry (journal) , sulfur , elemental analysis , isotopes of nitrogen , isotopes of carbon , isotopic ratio , mass spectrometry , environmental chemistry , total organic carbon , chromatography , inorganic chemistry , soil science , environmental science , ecology , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , biology
Rationale Information about the sulfur stable isotope composition (δ 34 S value) of organic materials and sediments, in addition to their nitrogen (δ 15 N value) and carbon (δ 13 C value) stable isotope compositions, can provide insights into mechanisms and processes in different areas of biological and geological research. The quantification of δ 34 S values has traditionally required an additional and often more difficult analytical procedure than NC dual analysis. Here, we report on the development of a high‐throughput method that simultaneously measures the elemental and isotopic compositions of N, C and S in a single sample, and over a wide range of sample sizes and C/N and C/S ratios. Methods We tested a commercially available CHNOS elemental analyzer in line with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer for the simultaneous quantification of N, C and S stable isotope ratios and contents, and modified the elemental analyzer in order to overcome the interference of 18 O in δ 34 S values, to minimize any water condensation that could also influence S memory, and to achieve the complete reduction of nitrogen oxides to N 2 gas for accurate measurement of δ 15 N values. A selection of organic materials and soils was analyzed with a ratio of 1:1.4 standards to unknowns per run. Results The modifications allowed high quality measurements for N, C and S isotope ratios simultaneously (1 SD of ±0.13‰ for δ 15 N value, ±0.12‰ for δ 13 C value, and ±0.4‰ for δ 34 S value), with high throughput (>75 unknowns per run) and over a wide range of element amount per capsule (25 to 500 μg N, 200–4000 μg C, and 8–120 μg S). Conclusions This method is suitable for widespread use and can significantly enhance the application of δ 34 S measurements in a broad range of soils and organic samples in ecological and biogeochemical research. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.