Shell Samples for Carbonate Testing

We were recently sent a number of shells by a University archaeology department for carbonate testing and analysis.

We receive shells whole and our lab team grind them in a pestle and mortar before we weigh them for analysis.

Samples are weighed into Exetainer tubes and flushed with 99.995% Helium. Phosphoric acid is added to samples and left to react to convert carbonate to CO2. The gas liberated from the samples is analysed by Continuous Flow-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (CF-IRMS).

Researchers will typically use stable isotope analysis of carbonates to help them determine the source of materials (e.g., marine vs. freshwater shells), understand past environmental conditions as well as diets and it can also be used to assess the preservation state of archaeological remains.

For further information on our isotope analyses for carbonates, please sales@isolab-scientific.com us or call +44 (0) 203 278 2351 or at. We’ll be straight back to you

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