York Light Stable Isotope Facility

We routinely conduct bulk stable isotope analysis of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) on a diverse range of organic samples.

This includes bone (collagen), tooth (dentine), hair and fur (keratin) and also deposits such as charred food crusts from ceramic vessels and archaeological plant remains. We also have facilities for analysing oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H/D) in organic material to inform on mobility.

We are also one of the few archaeological laboratories in the UK currently processing and analysing carbon and nitrogen isotopes of single amino acids from collagen (compound-specific isotope analysis); a relatively new technique to archaeology which provides higher resolution information on past diet than bulk analysis alone.

Sercon EA-IRMS

Sercon PyroEArth preparation unit fitted with combination pyrolysis furnace (C/N/S/O/H analysis)
Open carousel autosampler with 3 x 47 position sample trays
Sercon continuous flow HS2022 Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer with universal
Faraday triple collectors (C,N,S,O) and additional single Faraday collector for m/z 3 (H)
Sercon μCarbs for carbonates analysis

Thermo Delta V Plus and Thermo Trace GC

The Thermo Delta V Plus IRMS is coupled to a Thermo Flash IRMS Elemental Analyser and a Thermo Trace GC and GC ISOLINK II via a CONFLO IV interface.

Flash used for CNS analysis of bulk collagen and other solids (food crusts, plant material etc.).
This system is also used for determining 13C in single amino acids in CG-c-IRMS mode and 15N in single amino acids.