Melbourne Stable Isotope Facility

The Melbourne Stable Isotope Facility conducts high-precision H, C and O isotope analyses via various techniques, as well as clumped isotope analyses. This facility specialises in the analyses of these isotope systems in carbonate systems (e.g. speleothems, coral) as well as in natural waters.

Nu Instruments Perspective dual-inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometer

The Nu Instruments Perspective is a high-precision instrument dedicated to conventional O and C isotope and clumped isotope analysis of carbonate samples such as those from speleothems, molluscs, corals and foraminifera.

Conventional sample sizes are between 50-100 micrograms (pure carbonate), with precision better than 0.05.

Analytical Precision AP2003 continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer (2x)

The AP20003 is an intermediate-precision IRMS instrument dedicated to conventional O and C isotope analysis of carbonate samples such as those from speleothems, molluscs, corals and foraminifera.

Conventional samples sizes areMeasurements are between 400-600 micrograms (pure carbonate), with precision better than 0.1.

Picarro 2140i cavity ring-down laser spectrometer

The Picarro 2140i is a laser spectrometer for measuring O and H isotopes in water samples. This model can also operate in 17-oxygen mode.

ESL Micromill2 (2x)

Th ESL Micromill2 is a computer-driven, video-guided microsampling instrument for ultra high precision sampling of powders from rocks and minerals for geochemical analysis.

Digitisation allows for the sampling complex lamination or crystal zonation patterns typically seens in speleothems, teeth, shells and otoliths.

Sampling locations can be coordinated across to ESL laser ablation systems within MIA.

TAIG micromilling lathe

The TAIG micrmilling late is a computer-driven microsampling instrument for moderate precision sampling of powders (by drilling or milling) from rocks and minerals for geochemical analysis.

This unit has a custom made bolting plate allows for flat sample sections of up to 600 mm in length to be sampled.