Ján Veizer Stable Isotope Laboratory

University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
What the facility does

Environmental isotope analysis in support of geoscience and environmental science research

Areas of expertise

The Ján Veizer Laboratory maintains a fleet of gas-source mass spectrometers for analysis of stable isotopes (D, 13C, 15N, 18O, 34S) in environmental samples of minerals, water, gases and organic materials in support of research areas ranging from natural resources to environmental contamination. We offer state of the art analysis in most fields, including sample characterization.

Research services

Analytical services: stable isotopes (C, H, N, S, O), isotope method development / student training. Quantitative analysis NCHSO on solids and gas characterization (N2, O2, CO2, C1-C5).

Sectors of application
  • Agriculture, animal science and food
  • Chemical industries
  • Construction (including building, civil engineering, specialty trades)
  • Consumer non-durables
  • Defence and security industries
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Fisheries and aquaculture
  • Forestry and forest-based industries
  • Healthcare and social services
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
  • Mining, minerals and metals
  • Ocean industries
  • Professional and technical services (including legal services, architecture, engineering)
Equipment Function
Delta Plus XP + TIC-TOC Aurora 1030 analyzers (wet oxidation + combustion) Isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) for 13C in DIC and DOC
Delta V + GC Isolink + Precon IRMS for 13C, 15N, D, 18O of compound specific and air
Delta Plus XP and gas bench IRMS for 13C, 18O, 17O, D, 15N, 36Ar of waters, carbonates, ice cores, air, breath (in headspace)
Delta Plus XP, TC/EA and micro cube IRMS for 18O, D and 34S of solids; micro for %NCHS determination
Delta Advantage, isotope cube and LC isolink IRMS for 13C and 15N of solids + 13C of liquid compound specific
Ball mill (Retsch) Powdering of difficult samples (hair, wood, etc.)
Micro mill (Merchantek) Micro drill on microscope for drilling growth rings etc. (teeth, minerals, etc.)
Los Gatos Research water analyzer Rapid analysis of D, 17O and 18O in waters using laser technology
SRI Gas Chromatograph Analysis of N2, O2, CO2, C1-C5 concentrations
Picarro water analyser and induction module Rapid analysis of D and 18O in water and in leafs
  • Isomass Scientific Inc.
  • Graden Instruments
  • Elementar Americas Inc.
Title URL
Training courses for IRMS (host lab) www.isomass.com