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Isotope analytical capabilities

The table below provides information about common isotope ratio analyses provided by ALS. The complete list of analytical capabilities as well as list prices for single sample orders can be found here:

Explore isotope tests

Please request a quote for orders of batches of samples and/or continuous projects.

What is included in the analysis?

The basic analytical packages include standard sample preparation techniques, dilution and isotopic analysis by ICP-SFMS. Our top-of-the-line products typically include:

Analytical capabilities

  • Boron (B) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-B(I) 10, 11B
    Instrument
    		 ICP-SFMS
    Separation
    		 No 
    Min. B amount
    		 0.01 ng 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.2-1
    Package
    		 IRM-B(II) 10, 11B
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. B amount
    		 500 ng
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.05-0.2

    Please note! Water samples should not be acidified.
    Typical applications include: Enrichment control, pollution- and exposure-source tracing.

  • Calcium (Ca) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Ca 42, 43, 44Ca
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Ca amount
    		 25 µg 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01
  • Cadmium (Cd) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Cd 114,110Cd
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Cd amount
    		 100 ng 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01

    Typical applications include: Geology, pollution- and exposure-source tracing.

  • Chromium (Cr) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Cr 52, 53Cr
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Cr amount
    		 100 ng 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01
  • Copper (Cu) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Cu 63, 65Cu
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Cu amount
    		 1 µg 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01

    Typical applications include: Geology, pollution- and exposure-source tracing, and isotope geochemistry.

  • Iron (Fe) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Fe 54, 57, 56Fe
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Fe amount
    		 10 µg 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01

    Typical applications include: Geology, pollution- and exposure-source tracing, biogeochemistry and isotope geochemistry.

  • Lead (Pb) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Pb(I) 206, 207, 208Pb
    Instrument
    		 ICP-SFMS
    Separation
    		 No 
    Min. Pb amount
    		 0.1 ng 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.3-0.5
    Package
    		 IRM-Pb(II) 204, 206, 207, 208Pb
    Instrument
    		 ICP-SFMS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Pb amount
    		 1 ng
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.1-0.2
    Package
    		 IRM-Pb(III) 204, 206, 207, 208Pb
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Pb amount
    		 250 ng
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01
    Package
    		 IRM-Pb(IV) 204, 206, 207, 208Pb
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 No (galena, Pb alloys)
    Min. Pb amount
    		 250 ng
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01

    Typical applications include: Pollution source tracing, geology, geochronology and archaeology.

  • Lithium (Li) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Li(I) 6, 7Li
    Instrument
    		 ICP-SFMS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Li amount
    		 0.2 µg 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 <0.5
    Package
    		 IRM-Li(II) 6, 7Li
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Li amount
    		 1 µg
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 <0.1

    Typical applications include: Hydrology, geology, nuclear and medical.

  • Magnesium (Mg) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Mg 24, 25, 26Mg
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Mg amount
    		 25 µg 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01

    Typical applications include: Biochemistry, ecology and exposure-source tracing.

  • Mercury (Hg) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Hg(I) 199, 200, 201, 202Hg
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 No
    Min. Hg amount
    		 100 ng 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01

    Typical applications include: Pollution- and exposure source tracing.

  • Molybdenum (Mo) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Mo 95, 96, 97, 98Mo
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Mo amount
    		 10 µg 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01

    Typical applications include: Geology, pollution- and exposure-source tracing.

  • Neodymium (Nd) isotope analysiss
    Package
    		 IRM-Nd(I) 144, 143Nd
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Nd amount
    		 500 µg 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.003-0.005

    Typical applications include: Geology, geochronology and provenance studies.

  • Osmium (Os) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Os(I) 187, 188Os
    Instrument
    		 ICP-SFMS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Os amount
    		 0.01 ng 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.5-2
    Package
    		 IRM-Os(II) 187, 188Os
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Os amount
    		 5 ng
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.05-0.2

  • Plutonium (Pu) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Pu 239, 240Pu
    Instrument
    		 ICP-SFMS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Pu amount
    		 0.05 pg 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 1-5
  • Radium (Ra) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Ra 226Ra
    Instrument
    		 ICP-SFMS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Ra amount
    		 0.02
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 N/A
  • Silicon (Si) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Si 28, 29, 30Si
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Si amount
    		 100 µg 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.01-0.02

    Typical applications include: Geology, source tracing, biogeochemistry and isotope geochemistry.

  • Silver (Ag) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Ag 107,109Ag
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Ag amount
    		 100 ng 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01
  • Strontium (Sr) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Sr(I) 86, 87Sr
    Instrument
    		 ICP-SFMS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Sr amount
    		 50 ng 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.05-0.2
    Package
    		 IRM-Sr(II) 86, 87Sr
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Sr amount
    		 500 ng
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01

    Typical applications include: Geology, geochronology, provenance studies and forensics.

  • Sulphur (S) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-S 32, 34, (33)S
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. S amount
    		 25 µg 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.02

    Typical applications include: Geology, pollution- and exposure-source tracing.

  • Thallium (Tl) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Tl 203, 205Tl
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Tl amount
    		 100 ng 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01

    Typical applications include: Isotope geochemistry.

  • Thorium (Th) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Th(I) 230, 232Th
    Instrument
    		 ICP-SFMS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Th amount
    		 50 ng 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 1-3
    Package
    		 IRM-Th(II) 230, 232Th
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Th amount
    		 200 ng
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.2-0.5

  • Uranium (U) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IIRM-U(I) 235, 238U
    Instrument
    		 ICP-SFMS
    Separation
    		 No 
    Min. U amount
    		 0.05 ng 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.5-2
    Package
    		 IIRM-U(II) 234, 235, 236, 238U
    Instrument
    		 ICP-SFMS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. U amount
    		 5 ng
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.2-1
    Package
    		 IRM-U(III) 235, 238U
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. U amount
    		 200 ng
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.01-0.02

    Typical applications include: Enrichment control, pollution- and exposure-source tracing.

  • Zinc (Zn) isotope analysis
    Package
    		 IRM-Zn 64, 66, 68Zn
    Instrument
    		 MC-ICP-MS
    Separation
    		 Yes
    Min. Zn amount
    		 2 µg 
    Typical uncertainty %
    		 0.005-0.01

    Typical applications include: Geology, pollution- and exposure-source tracing, and isotope geochemistry.

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