Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Isotopic (Δ13c, Δ14c) Analysis Of Organic Acids In Marine Samples Using Wet Chemical Oxidation, Susan Lang, G. Früh-Green, S. Bernasconi, L. Wacker

Susan Q. Lang

We present a method for the isolation and off-line isotope analysis of formate and acetate in marine samples. Organic acids are separated by high performance liquid chromatography and collected in glass Exetainer® screw-capped vials that have been prespiked with an oxidant and flushed with helium. The vials are subsequently heated to convert the organic compounds to CO2 for radiocarbon and δ13C analysis. Small aliquots are sampled for measurement of δ13C by isotope ratio mass spectrometry, whereas the majority of the CO2 is saved for radiocarbon analysis by accelerator mass spectrometry using a gas ion source. Accurate δ13C and radiocarbon values …