Chemical Oceanography Facilities

Organic Geochemistry Labs

These laboratories are equipped for organic analyses to carry out sample preparation, bulk analyses, extraction, extract separation, pyrolysis, and compound characterization and structure elucidation. Bulk organic matter can be analyzed for elemental composition (CHNS), carbon isotope composition, and effects of pyrolytic (thermal) alteration. Organic compound mixtures that are extracted from samples are then characterized after suitable separation, derivatization, and quantitation by identification of homologous compound series and specific biomarker tracers. This is accomplished by various methods of chromatography and by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The lab is equipped with gas chromatographs and Hewlett-Packard 5971B-MSD GC-MS systems.

For more information, contact Prof. Fred Prahl.