Automated Determination of the Stable Carbon Isotopic Composition (013c/sup>C) of Total Dissolved Inorganic Carbon and Total Nonpurgeable Dissolved Organic Carbon in Aqueous Samples: RSIL Lab Codes 1851 and 1852

摘要

The Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory (RSIL) provides stable isotope analyses on a routine basis for a large user community within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and elsewhere. The RSIL also serves the USGS National Research Program (NRP) through its project on Stable Isotope Fractionation in Hydrologic Processes. The NRP conducts basic and problem-oriented hydrologic research in support of the mission of the USGS. The Stable Isotope Fractionation in Hydrologic Processes project conducts research on the use of isotope-ratio measurements in studies of water resources and environmental quality. One objective of this project is to develop new techniques for isotopic analysis of hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, and sulfur in environmental samples. New analytical techniques expand the range of tools available for studying the movement of those elements in hydrologic and biogeochemical systems. Another objective of the project is to test new applications of isotope measurements in specific field settings. Field studies of isotope behavior have contributed to understanding water-supply sustainability, groundwater/surface-water interactions, paleoclimate history, biologic cycling of nutrients, groundwater contamination, and natural remediation.