IsoLab is a consolidated unit of an analytical laboratory, a sample preparation laboratory, an ice core processing freezer, a kerogen extraction laboratory, a repair room, office space, and two outdoor redundantly cooled storage freezers.

Analysis Laboratory

The analytical laboratory is 890 sq ft and currently has five isotope ratio mass spectrometers and three cavity-ring-down spectroscopy lasers devoted to the isotopic analyses of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. Each instrument is computer controlled with Windows based software. Two additional computers are available for data reduction using matlab or python. All laboratory data are automatically backed up to two distinct locations on a daily basis. The analysis lab also has a chemical fume hood and compressed gas cylinder racks.

• Carbonate - δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O - We use a Kiel III Carbonate Device coupled to a Thermo Finnigan Delta Plus isotope ratio mass spectrometer for a dual-inlet based carbon and oxygen isotope measurement of small carbonate samples.
• Carbonate - Δ₄₇ - We use a Thermo MAT253 with 10-position multiport to automatically introduce and analyze purified CO₂ from pyrex flame-sealed ampoules for bulk and clumped isotopes.
• Carbonate - δ¹⁷O - We use two Thermo MAT253s to automatically introduce and analyze purified CO₂ from pyrex flame-sealed ampoules for oxygen isotopes and purified O₂ from a custom manifold for oxygen isotopes. These two measurements allow for the calculation of the oxygen-17 composition of the parent carbonate material.
• Nitrate - δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O, δ¹⁷O - We use the bacterial denitrifier method to reduce nitrate to nitrous oxide with subsequent purification and analysis of nitrogen and oxygen isotopes using a Thermo Finnigan Precon and GasBench coupled to a DeltaPlus Advantage isotope ratio mass spectrometer.
• Solid - δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N - We use elemental analysis to combust, convert, and purify carbon and nitrogen from solid materials into CO₂ and N₂ for the analysis of carbon and nitrogen isotopes using a Costech elemental analyzer coupled to a Thermo MAT253 isotope ratio mass spectrometer.
• Solid - δ³⁴S - We use elemental analysis to combust, convert, and purify sulfur from solid materials into SO₂ for the analysis of sulfur isotopes using an Eurovector elemental analyzer coupled to a Thermo MAT253 isotope ratio mass spectrometer.
• Sulfate or Nitrate - Δ¹⁷O - We use the silver salt pyrolysis method in a TC/EA coupled to a Thermo Finnigan MAT253 for a continuous flow based analysis of nitrate or sulfate oxygen isotopes.
• Water - δD, δ¹⁷O, δ¹⁸O, Δ¹⁷O - We use a Picarro L2140i cavity ring down spectrometer to measure all of the stable isotopes of water.
• Water - δD, δ¹⁸O - We also employ a Picarro L2120i cavity ring down spectrometer to measure hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of water.
• Water - Δ¹⁷O - We employ the water fluorination method with Cobalt (III) fluoride to convert H₂O into O₂ for subsequent triple oxygen isotope analysis using dual-inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometry on a Thermo MAT253.

Sample Preparation Laboratory

The sample preparation laboratory is 780 sq ft and has a carbonate digestion / CO₂ purification vacuum line, a mulipurpose glass vacuum line, a water fluorination vacuum line, an in-tube combustion vacuum line, a CO₂ / O₂ equilibration line, two microbalances, three coarse balances, two drying ovens, one muffle furnace, a freeze dryer, several refrigerators, two fume hoods, a reciprocal shaker, a laminar flow hood, an 18 M-Ω water generator and flexible lab bench space.

• Water Δ¹⁷O Preparation Line - We convert H₂O to O₂ using Cobalt (III) fluoride with subsequent purification and triple oxygen isotope analysis.
• Carbonate Δ₄₇ CO₂ Preparation Line - We digest large quantities of carbonate with subsequent purification for Δ₄₇ of CO₂ analysis.
• Low N Archean Rocks Preparation Line - Large quantities of low-N Archean Rocks are prepared for in-tube combustion for subsequent δ¹⁵N analysis.
• Carbonate ¹⁷O - We use a custom vacuum line to equilibrate CO₂ from carbonate and cylinder O₂ over a hot platinum catalyst for the calculation of the oxygen-17 composition of the parent carbonate material.

Ice-Core Processing Freezer

The in-lab ice core processing / short-term sample storage freezer is 140 sq ft and is held at -18°C. Samples stored in this freezer are in the process of being analyzed. This cold room has bench space and an Inca band saw for modest ice core processing for water isotope analysis.

Kerogen Extraction Laboratory

The kerogen extraction laboratory is 160 sq ft and has a corrosive resistant fume hood, a Sorvall Evolution superspeed centrifuge, sink with tap water and DI water, and an eye-wash station.

Repair and Storage Laboratory

The repair / storage space is 220 sq ft and has a constant volume fume hood, storage cabinets, tools, and a workbench.

Office

The office is 150 sq ft and has a conference table and coffee / food consumption space.