EcoCore Analytical Services
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Fort Collins, Colorado, US
EcoCore is one of the Specialized Facilities at Colorado State University (CSU), providing analytical, training and educational services related to ecology and ecosystem research to clients across several colleges at CSU, as well as local federal agencies and other universities and institutes.
Our analytical facility is a campus-wide, common-use facility for a broad suite of elemental, molecular, microbial, and isotopic analysis of soil, plant, water and other environmental samples. We provide training and hands-on experience to students, post-docs and scientists on all our instruments while also operating as a service laboratory, offering a variety of analyses on a fee basis. The facility has also a dedicated area designed for teaching, research seminars and small workshops.
EcoCore is housed and managed by the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory (NREL), based in the Warner College of Natural Resources.
Our mission is to provide and expand high-quality and cutting-edge capabilities, facilities, and expertise to our scientific community and to facilitate new and emerging research.
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:
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:
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:
• [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 - -
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