Introduction to the CAMAS Stable Isotope Laboratory

The Idaho State University Stable Isotope Laboratory, which is part of the Center for Archaeology, Materials, and Applied Spectroscopy (CAMAS), was established in 2009 with a major research instrumentation (MRI) grant award by the National Science Foundation (NSF), supplemented with matching funds from the ISU Office for Research. The lab is located at the Physical Science Complex, Room 350, at ISU's Pocatello, Idaho campus.

Equipment in the Laboratory

The Laboratory houses state-of-the-art instruments, including a Delta V Advantage Stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (SIRMS) with a ConFlo IV interface. The peripheral devices include:

• Costech ECS 4010 elemental analyzer (EA) with pneumatic autosampler to measure the isotopes of C and N,
• A ThermoFinnigan high Temperature Conversion Elemental Analyzer (TC-EA) with Costech zero blank autosampler for sample delivery to measure the isotopes of H and O,
• And a Gas Bench II device which allows the lab to efficient measure isotopes of O and C from carbonates and DIC. 
• The LGR Liquid-Water Isotope Analyzer also provides measurements of O and H isotopes from liquid water samples.