Sample Submission Guidelines

General Instructions
Please contact Dr. Sharma (uwyosif@uwyo.edu; 307-766-5021) before sending samples. All samples should be submitted with a sample list and each sample should be labeled with a clearly defined sample identification number. Each new job will be assigned a job number and samples will be analyzed in the order they are submitted. Investigators should send contact details of the person to whom the invoice should be sent. Please fill in the routing sheet at time of sample submission. For job codes and types of analysis refer to the sample price list attachment. For isotopically enriched samples please enquire beforehand; we do not accept samples that have more than 1% atomic enrichment. 

 
Water samples for δ¹⁸O and δ²H analysis
All water samples submitted for analysis must be free of particulates. Samples must be shipped in submitted in air tight vials with no head space. To avoid leakage during transport you can wrap parafilm (www.parafilm.com) around the lid of the vial.  For small sample amounts use appropriate small sized conical bottom vials. If you ship extracted water samples in glass tubes and need part of your samples to be saved please provide us with appropriate vials.

Required sample size:
50 to 500 microlitres
 
Carbonates δ¹³C+  δ¹⁸O analysis
Carbonate samples must be ground, homogenized and well mixed.

Required sample size:
50 to 400ug of carbon/oxygen in sample

 
Gas δ¹³C + δ¹⁸O analysis
Samples have to submitted in airtight 12 ml Labco vials
(http://www.labco.co.uk/usaandcanada/breathtest.htm#vials). 

Required sample size:
CO₂ conc. within 400 to 8000 ppm range

 
Solid Samples for δ¹³C / δ¹⁵N / δ¹⁸O / δ²H analysis
Samples should be thoroughly dried, ground and well mixed. Samples pretreated with acids need to be given least 5-8 rinses with distilled water to get rid of all the acid in the sample.  We can load your natural abundance samples  ($1/sample). If you have enriched samples or decide to load your natural abundance samples yourselves please use 96 well plastic trays. Samples have to be loaded according to the tray loading template. Please leave the well number marked for lab standards empty.

Load samples in 3.5x5 mm/4x6 mm/5x9 mm tin or silver capsules. You can order the capsules from Costech. Try to use the smallest capsule size that will hold the sample with no leakage.

• Use tin capsules for δ¹³C / δ¹⁵N analysis
• Use silver capsules for δ¹⁸O / δ²H analysis

Keep the working area, weighing table and spatula and forceps very clean. Wipe the forceps and spatulas with Kimwipe in-between subsequent samples. Capsules should be folded and crushed into a cube or ball without any protruding wings or sample.  Samples that are flat or have protrusions tend to get stuck in the sample carousel.  For elemental C and N analysis the same sample loading procedure should be followed.  Also, please ensure that no sample is leaking from the tin.

Required sample size:

• C/N please refer to our Excel sample calculator.
• O/H - 50 to 400 ug in sample

If you are shipping the samples, special precautions need to be taken so please contact Dr. Sharma at uwyosif@uwyo.edu (307-766-5021).