McGill Geobiology Laboratories

Multifaceted lab with specialized analytical equipment for addressing questions in Earth and life history, geomicrobiology, and carbon cycling.

Capabilities include:

• High precision carbon and oxygen isotope measurements of carbonates
• Preparation of microbial respiration byproducts (e.g. carbon dioxide, methane) for radiocarbon and stable isotope analysis
• Facilities for aerobic and anaerobic culture and incubation experiments
• Compound specific carbon and hydrogen measurements of lipid biomarkers (e.g. n-alkanes and fatty acids) and hydrocarbon gases (including methane)
• Simultaneous carbon isotope measurements of methane and carbon dioxide
• Quantification of lipid biomarkers and hydrocarbon gases
• Oxygen and hydrogen isotope measurements of water (including oxygen-17 capabilities)
• Organic geochemical prep lab facilities including freeze dryer and microwave solvent extraction system.

More information on research at:
http://www.isobiogeomcgill.ca/
https://www.geomicromcgill.com/
https://props.eps.mcgill.ca/
 

• Nu Instruments Perspective High Resolution Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer with NuCarb automated carbonate acid digestion system
• Thermo Delta V Plus Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer with GC-Isolink system for compound specific isotope analysis
• Thermo Trace 1310 GC with flame ionization detector
• Picarro G2201-i carbon isotope analyzer (methane and CO2) with small sample introduction module and 16-port manifold
• Picarro L2140-i water isotope analyzer (including hydrogen-2, oxygen-18, and oxygen-17) 
• Vacuum preparation line for purification of CO2 for radiocarbon and stable isotope analysis

• Carbonate carbon and oxygen isotope analyses: $20 per sample (academic*)
• Compound specific isotope measurements: $45 per sample (academic*)
• Methane hydrogen isotope analysis (high concentration samples only): $20 per sample (academic*)
• Picarro gas isotope analyses: $12 per sample (academic*)
• Water isotope analyses (H-2, O-18): $12 per sample (academic*)
• Compound Quantification by GC-FID: $20 per sample (academic*)
• Solvent extraction and lipid biomarker preparation: $35 per sample (academic*)

*Please enquire for pricing for external or commercial sample analysis.