Picarro has announced the launch of its L1102-i water isotope analyser.
The L1102-i provides simultaneous ratio measurement directly from water samples, whereas isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) systems require either different chemical processes to separately measure two ratios, or two different mass spectrometers.
The L1102-i is also fully automated for running large sample batches, requires little sample preparation, provides data in minutes and does not need frequent calibration because it has minimal memory and drift.
The Picarro L1102-i contains the same wavelength-scanned cavity ring down spectroscopy (WS-CRDS) engine already field-proven in the company's CO2 and water vapour isotope analysers.
The liquid water analyser is equipped with a robotic autosampler and vaporisation accessory, enabling many samples to be analysed in a single, automated, hands-free sequence.
Michael Woelk, chief executive officer at Picarro, said: 'Recognition of the utility of stable-isotope studies now spans applications as diverse as carbon/water cycle environmental studies, animal migration tracking and human metabolic pathway research.
'Full exploitation of this potential requires easy and fast access to high quality isotope ratio data, but has been limited by the high cost and practical constraints of existing mass spectrometry tools.
'We believe the advent of turnkey, cost-effective instruments that require no special training or sample handling is going to expand the number of practical applications for stable isotope measurements.' The Picarro L1102-i has been beta-tested at several labs specialising in stable isotope studies, including the Stable Isotope Lab at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado.
