About Us
The Pitt Isotope Tracers Lab (PIT) is Directed by Professor Emily Elliott and housed in the Department of Geology & Environmental Science. The PIT Lab is one of several isotope labs in the Department of Geology & Environmental Science. The PIT Lab facilitates research focused on:
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Existing Instrumentation
Continuous Flow-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer
A continuous flow GV Instruments IsoPrime™ stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer with universal triple collector. This instrument is equipped with high throughput continuous flow, an adjustable height Gilson GX271 autosampler, and a Trace Gas system for cryogenic trapping of low concentration atmospheric gases.
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Analytical Capabilities
The Pitt-Isotope Tracers Lab has capacity for a wide variety of isotopic measurements in a multitude of sample media. Our capabilities include:
- Nitrate (δ15N, δ18O, D17O);
- Greenhouse and trace gases: carbon dioxide (δ13C, δ18O), nitrous oxide (δ15N, δ18O), methane (δ13C);
- Nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur (δ15N, δ13C, δ34S) in organic and other solid materials (e.g., biota, soils);
- Ammonium (δ15N);
- Dry reactive nitrogen deposition (δ15N-NH3, δ15-NO2, and δ15N-HNO3); and
- Carbonates (δ13C, δ18O)
Support for the Pitt Isotope Tracers Lab is provided by NSF award #0929182 to PI Elliott and the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh. From 2010-2021, the Pitt Isotope Tracers Lab was referred to as the "Regional Stable Isotope Lab for Earth and Environmental Science Research" .