Submit SampleAnalyses on bone collagen are routinely undertaken on samples submitted for carbon dating provided there is adequate material remaining following 14C processing.
The EA-IRMS is also used to produce a %Nitrogen content value on raw bone samples at the initial stages of bone processing. This value helps to decide if pre-treatment is viable by indicating how likely the sample is to yield sufficient collagen suitable for 14C dating.
Analyses on other sample types (e.g. flesh, hair, feathers, blood, food residues, charcoal, plants, insects) can be carried out by prior arrangement. Currently we are unable to provide stable isotope analysis as a routine stand-alone service. However, collaboration or specific projects can be discussed with Centre Director, Dr M Blaauw (maarten.blaauw@qub.ac.uk).
Protocol and Standards
Three blank (empty) capsules are measured at the start of the sequence and any C or N contribution from the tin is automatically deducted from the results.
The sample gas is compared against a relevant reference gas of known isotopic composition and the relative differences computed by the software to calculate an isotopic number for the sample gas. Samples are measured in duplicate with standards of certified isotopic composition typically bracketing every 10-12 samples. These standards are selected to encompass the result range normally observed for the material type being measured.
They are used to monitor machine performance, reproducibility and to correct sample data using a two-point regression line based on the offset between observed (measured) v expected results of the standards.
Standards of known isotopic composition currently in use in the laboratory
For NITROGEN isotopes |
For CARBON isotopes |
| IAEA-N-2 Ammonium Sulphate δ15N +20.30 ± 0.2 | IA-R041 L-Alanine δ13C -23.33 ± 0.10 |
| IA-R041 L-Alanine δ15N -5.56 ± 0.14 | IAEA-CH-6 Sucrose δ13C -10.45 ± 0.03 |
| IA-R001 Wheat flour δ15N +2.55 ± 0.22 | IAEA-CH-7 Polyethylene δ13C -32.15 ± 0.05 |
| IA-R068 Soy Protein δ15N +0.99 ± 0.07 | IA-R006 Cane Sugar δ13C -11.64 ± 0.03 |
| IA-R069 Tuna Protein δ15N +11.60 ± 0.09 | IA-R001 Wheat flour δ13C -26.43 ± 0.08 |
| Sorghum Flour Standard OAS 155N +1.58 ± 0.15 | IA-R068 Soy Protein δ13C -25.22 ± 0.02 |
| IA-R069 Tuna Protein δ13C -18.88 ± 0.05 | |
| Sorghum Flour Standard OAS δ13C -13.78 ± 0.17 |
Note: IAEA=International Atomic Energy Agency; IA=Iso-Analytical; OAS=Organic Analytical Standard by Elemental Microanalysis
An in-house fish standard (δ15N +17.78; δ13C -31.65) is also routinely measured as a mass spectrometry quality control sample and has currently been measured more than 2000 times.
Furthermore, collagen extraction is repeatedly performed on whale bone standard (UB 8968) and mammoth bone standard (UB 33333) and these are measured routinely both for C14 and stable isotopes for quality control purposes.
As the weight of the sample is known, the %C and %N can also be determined if a specific weight of a standard of known %C and %N is also combusted and measured. The standard currently in use to ascertain %element values is Nicotinamide (59.01% carbon and 22.94% nitrogen). The values are then used to calculate C:N ratios which are one of the primary indicators of the degree of preservation of bone collagen and/or contamination by soil organic substances.
The analytic precision is typically better than 0.18‰ for δ15N and δ13C. This is based on a weighted average standard deviation of > 200 measurements for IA-R068 and IA-R069 and > 400 measurements of IA-R006.
Other Stable Isotopes
14CHRONO Centre is also linked to the Stable Isotope Facility in the School of Natural and Built Environment, which offers stable isotope analysis of liquid, solid and gas samples for the following elements: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen. The facility is one of the most comprehensive, centralised facilities for stable isotope analysis in the island of Ireland and UK.
Contact: Dr Neil Ogle
email: n.ogle@qub.ac.uk
phone: +44 28 9097 4908
The facility has:
- Thermo Delta V (IRMS) for 34S/32S (δ34S) ,18O/16O (δ18O) and 2H/1H (δ2H) Solids & GC-PAL Autosampler for (δ18O) and (δ2H) fluids
- Analytical Precision 2003 with Acid Digester for the 13C/12C (δ13C) and δ18O analysis of carbonates.
- Thermo Finnigan Delta Plus Advantage IRMS & Trace DSQ coupled Trace GC for compound specific isotope analysis (δ13C).
- Isoprime Mass Spectrometer with EA for measurement of 13C/12C and 15N/14N in organic matter.