δ13C analysis of bulk organic matter in speleothems using liquid chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry

The determination of δ13C values in speleothems is of considerable importance in palaeoenvironmental research, but has focussed solely on analysis of the carbonate. Here we demonstrate a new method for analysing the δ13C values of organic matter (OM) trapped in speleothems, utilising flow injection...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Blyth, Alison, Shutova, Y., Smith, C.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Pergamon 2013
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/8861
Description
Summary:The determination of δ13C values in speleothems is of considerable importance in palaeoenvironmental research, but has focussed solely on analysis of the carbonate. Here we demonstrate a new method for analysing the δ13C values of organic matter (OM) trapped in speleothems, utilising flow injection liquid chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LCIRMS).Developmental analysis using a homogenised speleothem powder showed that the method is robust, with repeated digests and analyses having an average standard deviation of 0.1‰. Dilution tests with samples of 4-23µg total organic carbon (TOC) show relatively small linearity effects, with the overall standard deviation across a peak response range of 1700-9000 mV being 0.2‰.