In our lab, organic compounds are chemically extracted from soils, sediments and other environmental samples. The extracts are then purified, fractionated and concentrated prior to analysis. Our equipment includes:

• Lyophilisers for drying water-rich samples
• Centrifuges for separating liquids or phases of different densities
• Rotary evaporators for concentrating organic solvents
• A Genevac system for the gentle, parallel concentration of aqueous and organic solutions
• Distillation units for the production of high-purity dichloromethane

BINDER BD 260

Our incubators are used for controlled incubation experiments to improve our understanding of how climate change affects microorganisms and their activity.

Agilent 6890N GC with Agilent 5975C VL MSD

GC–MS combines gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and is used to analyse organic compounds in complex samples. The resulting mass spectra can be used to identify biomarkers, unknown compounds and potential contaminations.

Agilent 7890B GC-FID

The GC-FID with split injection is used to quantify organic compounds. Typical target compounds include fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), alcohols, PAHs and other organic fractions isolated during sample preparation.

Agilent 7890B GC with Agilent 7000C Triple Quadrupole GC/MS

The GC/MS Triple Quad is a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry system equipped with an on-column injector. In our group, it is mainly used for the analysis of alkenones. It is also used for quality control prior to preparative work, ensuring that target compounds are sufficiently separated by chromatography.

Agilent 7890A GC with GERSTEL UPC Plus

Preparative GC is used to isolate individual organic compounds from complex samples. The collected fractions can then be used for further analyses or for compound-specific radiocarbon dating.

Agilent 6460 Triple Quadrupole LC/MS

The LC/MS Triple Quad is used to identify and quantify GDGTs, which provide valuable information for palaeoclimate research.

LI-COR LI-7810 Trace Gas Analyzer

The LI-COR analyser is used to measure methane, carbon dioxide and water vapour concentrations in both field and laboratory settings. It enables continuous monitoring of gas concentrations in environmental and incubation experiments.

Portable system for ¹⁴CH₄ sampling

The portable gas sampling system designed by Dr Jan Melchert allows methane samples to be collected directly in the field and prepared for subsequent ¹⁴C analysis. Methane is oxidised to CO₂ and stored on zeolite traps, allowing the gas samples to be stored safely until further processing in the laboratory.

Vacuum line for sample preparation

The vacuum line is used to prepare CO₂ from field samples and incubation experiments for ¹⁴C analysis. A series of cold traps separates the gas from water vapour before it is divided into aliquots for further analysis.

Hydrolysis system: Ionplus Carbonate Handling System 2

The hydrolysis system is used to prepare inorganic carbon samples for ¹⁴C analysis. Carbonate-bearing materials are hydrolysed to release CO₂, which can then be used for further sample preparation.

Elementar vario ISOTOPE select

The vario ISOTOPE select is used to prepare organic samples for ¹⁴C analysis. Through controlled combustion, the carbon contained in the sample is released as CO₂ and can then be used for further sample preparation.

Ionplus AGE 3 Automated Graphitization Equipment

The AGE system is used to convert CO₂ into graphite for ¹⁴C analysis. In this process, CO₂ is reduced with hydrogen, and the carbon is deposited on an iron catalyst. The resulting graphite–iron mixture is then used as the target material for AMS measurement.