EcoCore Analytical Services

Solid samples are analyzed on a LECO Tru-Spec CN analyzer (Leco Corp., St. Joseph, MI, USA). The instrument is primarily used to analyze total C and N concentrations in soil and vegetation samples although it has also been used for fertilizer, animal feeds, animal tissue, plant litter, fecal matter, and wastewater effluents.

Organic C concentrations can be determined on samples following acid digestion, or can be calculated by difference following off-line inorganic C analysis. Both analyses can be performed at the facility.

The instrument is a dry combustion type with infrared detection for carbon and thermal conductivity detection for nitrogen. It is computer driven with an interfaced balance and a 30 position auto-sampler, which allows up to 2 hours of unattended operation.

Total C and N - Solid
• < 20 Samples: internal (CSU) $7.75/sample; non-profit $10.12/sample; commercial $15.18/sample
• 20-999 Samples: internal (CSU) $5.70/sample; non-profit $7.42/sample; commercial $11.13/sample
• 1000-1999 Samples: internal (CSU) $5.50/sample; non-profit $7.15/sample; commercial $10.73/sample
• ≥2000 Samples: internal (CSU) $5.25/sample; non-profit $6.88/sample; commercial $10.32/sample
• Difficult Samples [1]: internal (CSU) + $1.00/sample; non-profit + $1.31/sample; commercial +$2.00/sample

Inorganic C (CaCO3equiv) - Solid: Inquire for pricing.

Dissolved inorganic C - Liquid
• < 20 Samples: internal (CSU) $10.50/sample; non-profit $13.76/sample; commercial $20.63/sample
• ≥ 20 Samples: internal (CSU) $8.50/sample; non-profit $11.14/sample; commercial $16.70/sample
• Difficult Samples [1]: internal (CSU) + $2.00/sample; non-profit + $2.62/sample, commercial + $3.95/sample

Notes:

[1] Difficult samples require an additional charge:
- C, N - solid: Concentrations outside range of standard methods; salts; liquid samples
- TOC, TN - liquid: Non-filtered waters or any sample matrix other than water
- Inorganic N, P - liquid: Any sample matrix other than 2M KCl or water; any sample not near neutral pH; colored samples; dirty samples
- 13C, 15N - solid: Salts, glass fiber or quartz filters, large samples that exceed standards range, samples encapsulated in silver capsules, highly enriched samples (> 2 atom% for C; > 1 atom% for N)
- Freeze-drying: Any solvent/matrix other than water

EcoCore maintains an Alpkem Flow Solution IV Automated wet chemistry system (O.I. Analytical, College Station TX). The instrument features a 270 position random access auto sampler and the ability to use either segmented flow analysis (SFA) or flow injection analysis (FIA). Two auto ranging detector channels allow simultaneous measurement of two ionic species at up to 60 samples per hour.

Currently available chemistries include:

• Ammonium (NH4+) by segmented flow analysis.
• Nitrate + Nitrite (NO3-+NO2 -) by flow injection analysis.
• Nitrite (NO2-) by flow injection analysis.
• Orthophosphate (PO43- ) by segmented flow analysis.

The instrument is principally used for analyzing water samples and soil extracts.

Inorganic N or P - Liquid
• < 40 Samples: internal (CSU) $6.50/sample; non-profit $7.42/sample; commercial $11.13/sample
• ≥ 40 Samples: internal (CSU) $3.65/sample; non-profit $4.72/sample; commercial $7.08/sample
• Difficult Samples [1]: internal (CSU) + $1.00/sample; non-profit + $1.31/sample; commercial +$2.00/sample

Notes:

[1] Difficult samples require an additional charge:
- C, N - solid: Concentrations outside range of standard methods; salts; liquid samples
- TOC, TN - liquid: Non-filtered waters or any sample matrix other than water
- Inorganic N, P - liquid: Any sample matrix other than 2M KCl or water; any sample not near neutral pH; colored samples; dirty samples
- 13C, 15N - solid: Salts, glass fiber or quartz filters, large samples that exceed standards range, samples encapsulated in silver capsules, highly enriched samples (> 2 atom% for C; > 1 atom% for N)
- Freeze-drying: Any solvent/matrix other than water

Soil texture
• By the hydrometer method, up to 40 samples per day

Soil pH

Soil carbonates (inorganic C)
• By pressure transducer following acid addition
• Vials, chemicals and pressure transducer available

Soil microbial biomass
• Chloroform fumigation followed by direct extraction
• A dedicated vacuum pump and chamber allow analysis of 30-90 samples per week

PLFA extraction from soils
• Modified Bligh-Dyer extraction and mild alkaline methanolysis derivatization for GC analysis

Respiration/Carbon mineralization
• May be measured by head space sub-sampling and direct injection into an Infrared Gas Analyzer (IRGA)
• A large number of 1/2, 1, 2, and 4 liter jars are available
• A constant temperature room at 25°C can accommodate hundreds of samples for extended time periods

• Two small (~2 cu. ft) heat-only incubators can maintain 25-40+ °C and two large (~20 cu. ft.) refrigerated incubators can maintain ~4-40 °C for shorter time periods.

Soil aggregate distribution
• By wet-sieving
• Uses a variety of sieves and a high capacity centrifuge: 6 liter (6x 1L bottles) up to 5000 g

Soil organic matter fractionation
• Density flotation of light fraction with aspirator setup
• Sodium Polytungstate recycling system (sodium resin and activated carbon columns)

Soil moisture retention
• Four pressure chamber/plates can equilbrate up to 72 samples (5 cm. diameter) at moisture potentials ranging from -0.08 to -1 bar. One 1/2 bar high flow plate is available for potentials ranging from -0.005 to -0.5 bar

13C or 15N – solids [2]
• < 999 Samples: internal (CSU) $8.80/sample; non-profit $11.47/sample; commercial $17.20/sample
• 1000-2999 Samples: internal (CSU) $7.75/sample, non-profit $10.12/sample; commercial $15.18/sample
• 3000-4999 Samples: internal (CSU) $6.70/sample; non-profit $8.77/sample; commercial $13.16/sample
• ≥ 5000 Samples: internal (CSU) $5.70/sample; non-profit $7.42/sample; commercial $11.13/sample
• Difficult Samples [1]: internal (CSU) + $1.00/sample; non-profit + $1.31/sample; commercial +$2.00/sample
• Weighing & Encapsulation [2]: internal (CSU) + $2.00/sample; non-profit + $2.62/sample; commercial + $3.95/sample

3C - CO2
• CO2 conc >2000 ppm: internal (CSU) $10.30/sample; non-profit $13.49/sample; commercial $20.24/sample
• CO2 conc <2000 ppm: internal (CSU) $14.45/sample; non-profit $18.89/sample; commercial $28.34/sample

18 O - water: internal (CSU) $10.05/sample; non-profit $13.16/sample; commercial $19.73/sample

Compound-specific
• 13C Fatty acid methyl esters: internal (CSU) $67.00/sample; non-profit $87.70/sample; commercial $131.56/sample
• Other [3]: inquire for pricing

Notes:

• [1] Difficult samples require an additional charge:
- C, N - solid: Concentrations outside range of standard methods; salts; liquid samples
- TOC, TN - liquid: Non-filtered waters or any sample matrix other than water
- Inorganic N, P - liquid: Any sample matrix other than 2M KCl or water; any sample not near neutral pH; colored samples; dirty samples
- 13C, 15N - solid: Salts, glass fiber or quartz filters, large samples that exceed standards range, samples encapsulated in silver capsules, highly enriched samples (> 2 atom% for C; > 1 atom% for N)
- Freeze-drying: Any solvent/matrix other than water

• [2] Solid samples for isotope analysis should be sent to EcoCore weighed and encapsulated. Samples should be oven-dried and ground to a fine powder. We occasionally weigh and encapsulate samples for outside clients for an additional charge. Oven-drying and grinding can also be done by EcoCore upon request. Please contact us for details.

• [3] Stable isotope analyses of other compounds are under development. EcoCore also welcomes experienced GC-c-IRMS users to use our facility to analyze samples with established methods. Rates can be negotiated for these types of analyses. For more information, please contact us.

EcoCore provides facilities, training, and expertise to conduct molecular analyses of environmental samples. We routinely extract, prepare, and analyze nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. Many downstream genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses are performed in partnership with the PMF core facility at CSU. The facility provides analytical support to students and scientists from CSU and other universities, and research institutes around the world.

Analytical capabilities and equipment:
• Bio-Rad Real-Time PCR machine for gene quantification, and an additional PCR machine for routine preparation
• A Tecan multi-function plate reader for quantification of nucleic acids and proteins, enzyme assays, and any other assay requiring fluoresence or absorbance readings

• A high capacity bead beater for extractions of nucleic acids or proteins
• A variety of gel boxes for separation and analysis of nucleic acids or proteins

The facility management maintains the instruments, develops methods and provides training. We also provide graduate and undergraduate students and post-docs valuable hands-on experience with the instruments.

Pricing

• PCR: internal (CSU) client operator $6.20/run; non-profit client operator $8.10/run; external - -
• Q-PCR: internal (CSU) client operator $24.75/run; non-profit client operator $32.38/run; external - -
• Plate Reader: internal (CSU) client operator $3.10/plate read; non-profit client operator $4.05/plate read; external - -