No Cover Image

Journal article 110 views 28 downloads

Analysis of 18O/16O Isotope Ratios in Organic Matter by Laser Ablation IRMS

Elina K. Sahlstedt Orcid Logo, Neil Loader Orcid Logo, Katja T. Rinne-Garmston Orcid Logo

Analytical Chemistry, Volume: 97, Issue: 13

Swansea University Author: Neil Loader Orcid Logo

  • 69161.VoR.pdf

    PDF | Version of Record

    © 2025 The Authors. This publication is licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

    Download (3.06MB)

Check full text

DOI (Published version): 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c06896

Abstract

In recent years, the application of laser ablation isotope ratio mass spectrometry has revolutionized the field of carbon isotope analysis, enabling routine analyses at high spatial resolution (30–40 μm). Until now, an equivalent analytical method for oxygen isotope ratio (18O/16O) measurements has...

Full description

Published in: Analytical Chemistry
ISSN: 0003-2700 1520-6882
Published: American Chemical Society (ACS) 2025
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69161
Abstract: In recent years, the application of laser ablation isotope ratio mass spectrometry has revolutionized the field of carbon isotope analysis, enabling routine analyses at high spatial resolution (30–40 μm). Until now, an equivalent analytical method for oxygen isotope ratio (18O/16O) measurements has been lacking. In this article, we describe a preparatory system for analysis of the oxygen isotope composition of carbon monoxide produced from organic samples. The system couples a UV laser platform and automated cryofocusing unit with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. The method is tested on cellulose and wood (tree rings) and is shown to produce data with analytical precision typically better than 0.4‰ with a sampling resolution of 100 μm (laser beam diameter). Coupled with spatially accurate and minimally invasive laser sampling, the ability to measure stable oxygen isotopes in this way represents a significant advance as it opens up new research opportunities in plant sciences, ecology, paleoclimatology, and science-based archeology.
Keywords: Ablation; Carbon isotopes; Lasers; Materials; Oxygen
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: UKRI, Te Aparangi Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund, Llywodraeth Cymru - EP/X025098/1, 22-UOA-18, MA/VG/2715/22
Issue: 13

Similar Items