We encourage you to read our Sample Analysis Policy to ensure you qualify to have your samples analyzed in IsoLab.
The below rates are per analysis, not per sample. Some methods require replication of a single sample before data become usable. Sometimes data are not particularly useful to a researcher because they don’t show an anticipated pattern or, perhaps, don’t even contain the analyte of interest. Assuming the analysis proceeded without failure, researchers are still responsible for the cost even if the data are not what they expected or are marginally useful to their question.
The sample analysis cost reflects the actual cost for a single analysis. It includes all materials and labor for that one single analysis. It inherently assumes that the instrument used and person employed are tools and can be turned off and placed on a shelf when the analysis is complete. This, of course, is certainly not the case for a person. As such, the analysis cost may not cover the true cost of employing a person. Academic labs typically have a subsidy that covers the cost of keeping technicians employed when they are not analyzing samples. Furthermore, our sample cost schedule must be a good faith estimate of the costs associated with a single analysis, as per the University of Washington. We must assume that the instrument has only nominal dormancy, otherwise sample costs could be radically inflated if, for example, only a single analysis of a particular method was completed in a single year. Commercial labs simply charge more per analysis to cover the instrument dormancy.
Click on individual methods below for more information.
Natural abundance samples only. No labeled material. No exceptions.
| Analysis or Preparation | Method | UW Budget Number, User Provided Labor* | UW Budget Number, Lab Provided Labor | Off-campus funding, User Provided Labor* | Off-campus funding, Lab Provided Labor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Dioxide - Δ47* | Clumped isotope, dual inlet | $43 | $118 | $50 | $136 | |
| Carbonate - δ13C and δ18O | Kiel carbonate device, dual inlet | $13 | $16 | $15 | $18 | |
| δD, δ13C, δ18O, δ15N | manual dual inlet of any gas | $23 | $51 | $27 | $59 | |
| Denitrifier - δ15N, δ18O, Δ17O | denitrifier, continuous flow | $21 | $53 | $24 | $61 | |
| Method Development - any instrument | any instrument, hourly rate | $11 | $11 | $13 | $13 | |
| Nitrate and / or Sulfate - Δ17O* | Silver salt pyrolysis | $69 | $219 | $80 | $253 | |
| Nitrous Oxide - δ15N, δ18O, Δ17O | Headspace vials, continuous flow | $18 | $30 | $21 | $35 | |
| Solid Sample - δ13C and δ15N | elemental analysis, continuous flow | $10 | $13 | $12 | $15 | |
| Solid Sample - δ34S | elemental analysis, continuous flow | $21 | $39 | $24 | $45 | |
| Water - Δ17O* | Fluorination, dual inlet | $69 | $144 | $80 | $166 | |
| Water - δD and δ18O | Picarro CRDS | $11 | $13 | $13 | $15 | |
| Water - δD, δ18O, δ17O* | Picarro CRDS | $26 | $63 | $30 | $73 | |
| Carbonate Prep Line | Phosphoric acid digestion, CO2 purification | $19 | $94 | $22 | $109 | |
| Lyophilize, freeze dry | freeze dryer | $9 | $10 | $10 | $12 | |
| Sample Acidification | remove carbonate | $11 | $12 | $13 | $14 | |
| Sample Pulverizing | rock pulverizer | $11 | $12 | $13 | $14 | |
| Silver salt preparation | Ion chromatography, silver salt precipitation | $45 | $210 | $52 | $243 | |
| Simple sample grinding | mortar and pestle | $7 | $8 | $8 | $9 | |
| Sample Loading | loading powders into tins for EA | $2 | $3 | $2 | $3 |
* User provide labor rates become available once you are proficient and require little help from laboratory staff.
Rates are current as of 2019-12-10.