Inter-laboratory Comparison of Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopic Composition Data Using Elemental Analyzer-isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometers

  • Kim, Jung-Hyun (Division of Polar Paleoenvironment, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI)) ;
  • Kang, Sujin (Department of Marine Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University) ;
  • Bong, Yeon-Sik (Division of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)) ;
  • Park, Kwangkyu (Division of Polar Paleoenvironment, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI)) ;
  • Kang, Tae-Woo (Yeongsan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Park, Yong-Se (National Instrumentation Center for Environmental Management, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kim, Dahae (Division of Polar Paleoenvironment, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI)) ;
  • Choi, Seunghyun (Division of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)) ;
  • Joo, Young Ji (Division of Polar Paleoenvironment, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI)) ;
  • Choi, Bohyung (Department of Marine Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University) ;
  • Nam, Seung-Il (Division of Polar Paleoenvironment, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI)) ;
  • Lee, Sang-Mo (National Instrumentation Center for Environmental Management, Seoul National University) ;
  • Shin, Kyung-Hoon (Department of Marine Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University)
  • Received : 2018.08.03
  • Accepted : 2018.11.27
  • Published : 2018.12.31

Abstract

In this study, inter-laboratory comparison was done using elemental analyzer-isotope ratio mass spectrometers (EA-IRMSs) to determine carbon and nitrogen contents as well as stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions (${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$) of five environmental samples containing lake and marine sediments, higher plant leaves, and fish muscle, and one organic analytical standard (Protein (Casein) Standard OAS). Five national laboratories participated in this comparison study, and each laboratory analyzed all five samples and the analytical standard. Results showed that variations in total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) contents as well as ${\delta}^{13}C_{TOC}$ and ${\delta}^{15}N_{TN}$ values among the laboratories were large compared to the analytical uncertainties. The results highlighted the inhomogeneity of the test samples and thus, the need to select suitable standard reference materials for future inter-laboratory studies. Further inter-laboratory comparison exercises could promote good measurement practices in the acquisition of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition data.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Grant : Development of practical technique to establish fisheries forensic

Supported by : National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries

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