Please Read Throughly:

The staff and faculty associated with the Stable Isotope Geosciences Facility understand that graduate students and researchers are interested in the preparation and analysis of their own samples.  For preparation of samples please read through the Preparation Facility Policy.  Users that are interested in running their own samples will adhere to the following policy:

1. The SIGF has three isotope ratio mass spectrometers available for general use within the College of Geosciences. The instruments include a Thermo Delta Plus XP and associated elemental analyzer, pyrolysis system and Gasbench (Room 406 O&M Bldg); a MAT 252 with an elemental analyzer and GC-C interface (Room 406 O&M Bldg), and a MAT 253 with associated Kiel device (Room 309 O&M Bldg).

2. Depending on the type of analysis being done, users will need to consult with the SIGF Director and Manager about their level of experience and competence working with isotope ratio mass spectrometry instrumentation. We also expect to be informed about the number of samples you are interested in running and the timeframe in which you need them analyzed.

3. Training on equipment may include working alongside or shadowing the SIGF Manager with analysis of samples. Once preparation is complete there may be maintenance steps that are required before analysis can begin. You may be expected to help out during the regular workweek and possibly on weekends if necessary.

4. Analysis of samples will be allowed by the Director and Manager on a case-by-case basis. In many cases it may take several months to a year for users to become adept at running these instruments. That being said, we will only train people who plan on running several samples over the course of a few years. We do not want to waste our time training someone to analyze 100 samples as a one-time project.

5. In the case of smaller projects we will show the user the steps required to analyze the samples and also give a tour of the facility. The user is welcome to help out but will not receive the extensive training on the instrument.

6. The SIGF Executive Committee meets regularly to discuss new projects and as such will determine how much Facility Manager time will go into training new users. This decision will be made on a quarterly basis or as the need arises.

7. Ultimately, SIGF would like for users to feel comfortable asking questions and helping with the analysis portion of their samples as much as they can. Some people would prefer to just turn their samples in and have us analyze them, while other users are more involved with the analysis. Either way is fine with us. We want you, as the client, to gain as much information as you possibly can and to leave satisfied with both the experience and the results.

8. There are several risks that go along with running high precision isotope ratio mass spectrometers and associated peripheral devices. These include, but are not limited to, high instrument voltages, explosive gases, and working with volatile chemicals. Please make sure you are up-to-date with your laboratory safety training. Any work performed in SIGF will require that you have the training completed. In addition the laboratory manager will make sure you are specifically aware of safety issues within SIGF.