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Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research

Home > Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research > Facilities > Facilities and Resources

Laboratories and Analytical Facilities

The Centre runs two purpose-built laboratories where our experimental and analysis work is done and we also have a range of field equipment for working in and sampling from the field

Experimental and preparation Lab

Our Experimental and Preparation Lab is outfitted with the latest equipment and facilities to support experimental research, including:

  • A dedicated wet experimental area, incorporating lighting and water supply
  • Tanked seawater supply on tap
  • A workshop area
  • Spacious walk-in Fridge and Freezers
  • Plumbed Scientific Gas supply
  • RAD-7 Radon monitoring equipment
  • Numerous pH, LDO and multi-parameter probes
  • GC mainly for looking at DMS
  • A wide range of General Laboratory equipment such as: Freeze Drier, drying oven, Fume-hoods, Mili-Q water supply, glassware and glassware washing (including acid and purified water rinse), autoclave, balances, centrifuge, shaker table and vortex mixers, sonicators, microscopes, ample sink and bench space, well stocked chemical supply, rotary evaporator and other equipment for organic extractions.

Labs

Analytical Lab and IRMS Facility

Our analytical Lab houses our instrumentation, including our MIMS, FIA, IRMS and peripherals and also related ancillary equipment such as two 5-figure balances and a 1 micro-litre auto-dilutor.

IRMS

Our IRMS facility contains two DeltaV Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometers which are used to measure stable isotopic compsition of samples (primarily 15N,13C and 34S). We also have a wide range of peripherals for the IRMSes allowing many different sorts of analysis. They include:

  • Trace GC Ultra. Gas Chromatograph for the measurement of lipids, amino acids and inorganic gases like N2, N2O, CO2 and CH4.
  • Flash EA: elemental analyzer for C, N and S in solid samples
  • TC-EA: Elemental analyzer for the measurement of O2 and H2 in solid samples.
  • Aurora 1030 TIC/TOC analyser. For the measurement of inorganic and organic carbon in water.
  • Preconcentrator. Concentrates the samples before analysis, allowing the measurement of diluted samples or very low concentrations.

Instruments

MIMS

Our Membrane Inlet Mass-Spectrometer is housed in a specially designed temperature controlled lab and incorporates a purpose-built inlet manifold with a Quadrupole Mass-Spectormeter and custom software It used to determine the concentrations of gasses dissolved in water such as N2, Ar, O2 and NO2 with very high precision. It can also be used to determine the ratio of the isotopes in the gasses. Our MIMS also has an optional of Oxygen Removal furnace.

FIA

Our 5-channel Lachat Flow Injection Analyser is used to determine the Nutrient content of water samples such as NOx, PO4, NH4 and is used primarily for very low-level concentrations (< 5 ppb). It can also be used to determine Sulphate, Iron and Silicate concentrations.

We also have access to, though the School of Environmental Science and Management and SCU's Special Research Centres, other facilities and equipment, including

  • Inductively-Coupled-Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS)
  • Inductively-Coupled-Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES)
  • UV-VIS Spectrophotometer
  • LECO CNS analyser,
  • Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis
  • Voltammetric analyser
  • X-Ray Diffractometer
  • Mossbauer spectroscope with cryostage

Field equipment

Field Equipment

Our range of field equipment includes:

  • Sediment sampling cores of various sizes with the ability to sample from depths exceeding 10m
  • In-house designed and built incubation systems, including in-situ diffusive flow and rotary stirring benthic chambers
  • Data loggers and Field-use multi-parameter probes
  • 4.5m forward console estuary boat
  • Grab samplers
  • GPS equipment
  • Ground-water sampling equipment

Updated: 14 February 2013