The Vario Isotope Select Elemental Analyser (EA) is linked to a Precision Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS). The EA has a 120 position autosampler for the introduction of soil, sediment and plant samples. The column oven can reach a temperature of 950°C to combust samples during analysis and the % elemental content is measure using a TCD detector. The IRMS is equipped with Farraday cups to measure the stable isotope ratios.
Analytical parameters quantified
The Elemental Analyser can measure the % Total Carbon (%TC), %Total Organic Carbon (%TOC) in soil and sediment samples and the %Nitrogen in soil, sediment and plant samples. The IRMS can measure the C13 stable isotope ratio of both TC and TOC and the N15 stable isotope ratio.
Publication links
1. Chassain J, Terblanche JS, Janion-Scheepers C (2025). Soil food webs in sugarcane fields: Sweet dreams for soil organisms in subtropical Africa. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151096
2. Reed CG, Budny MI, du Toit JT, Helcoski R, Schimel JP, Smit IPJ, Strydom T, Tallian A, Thompson DI, van Coller H, Lemoine NP, Burkepil DE (2025). Elephant megacarcasses increase local nutrient pools in African savanna soils and plants. Biogeosciences, 22, 1583–1596 https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1583-2025
3. Benjamin B, Adams JB, Human LRD, Rishworth G (2026). Integrated indicators of estuarine watershed pollution: Seagrass, epiphytes, sediment and benthic macrofauna. Marine Pollution Bulletin 222 (2026) 118740.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118740
4. Bossert A, von der Heyden S, Colling J, Ndhlovu A (2024). Partitioning the sources of sediment organic carbon in South African seagrass meadows. African Journal of Marine Science 2024, 46(3): 169–175. https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2024.2370867
5. Neethling EC, Engelbrecht K, Roets F, Crous CJ (2024). Early impact assessment of the paninvasive polyphagous shot hole borer beetle on commercial pear production. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 172: 796 – 805. https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.13466
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