Biogeochemical Analytical Facility (BAF)

Biogeochemical Analytical Facility description

Biogeochemical Analytical Facility (BAF) infrastructure hold instruments for analysis of key chemical parameters in terrestrial and aquatic biogeochemical and ecological research and as such is of major interest for a large range of research groups. BAF act as a core analytical facility for several major research projects run by researcher at EMG together with their collaborators and now opens up for other users at Umeå and other universities.

The instrument park at BAF

Instruments can be used after having taken a course in how to use them, except for the nutrient analyzer which is only run by Anders Jonsson. Introduction/course to run instruments are given on request to Anders Jonsson.

Gas chromatograph

Perikin Elmer, Clarus 500
This gas chromatograph is equipped with two detectors via two different injections sites. The detectors are an electron capture detector (ECD) and a flame injection detector (FID). There is a split less injection, and thus two injection sites. In the oven there are two capillary colons. Both are Elite plot Q colons. The GC is also equipped with a Turbo matrix headspace sampler for 110 samples. Analyses typically run are detection of carbon dioxide, methane, ethylene, propane and nitrous oxide.

Carbon analyzer

TOC analyzer
Formacs HT-I TOC/TN, Skalar
This carbon analyzer compose of an analytical compartment with an auto sampler with a capacity of 80 liquid samples, and a solid material combustion oven. Liquid samples for organic carbon are injected into a furnace with a temperature of >800°C, and the gas then passes a non-dispersive infrared detector (NDIR-detector). Solid samples can be combusted in a separate oven (up to 1100°C). Samples are then manually fed using crucibles into the oven. The gas is analyzed on the NDIR-detector on the analyzer. There is also a separate injection site for analysis of inorganic carbon in liquid samples. Total nitrogen in water can also be measured at the same time as organic carbon. The TN is detected with a ND25-detector (chemiluminescent detector).

Nutrient analyzer

QuAAtro, Seal Analytical
A segmented flow analyzer equipped with an autosampler for 180 analyses. It is also equipped with an automatic on-line digestion of samples for total-element analyses. The analyzer is equipped for analyses for low concentrations of PO₄-P, NO₂+NO₃-N, NH₄-N, TN and TP and also for Cl.

Fluorometer

Perkin Elmer, LS-55
The appliance is equipped with a 1cm cell holder and a 96-well plate reader that can be fixed to the analyzer for automatic detection of samples. There is also an accessory for solid samples detection.

Liquid scintillation counter

Beckman, LS-6500
The appliance has been set up for counting of ³H and ¹⁴C, but more isotopes are available. Results output can both be printed or saved as a file on a computer.

Respicond facility

One 96-unit Respicond instruments
The Respicond measures the evolution of CO₂ in soils, sediments or other matrices in incubation chambers with a very high accuracy and time resolution. The temperature in the chambers is regulated in insulated water-baths that allows for incubation studies at different temperature.

Flow cytometer

BD, FACSVerse
With this instrument it is possible to measure and count particles smaller than 50 µm. It is equipped with a red and a blue laser (4 colors). It has a manual port as well as a sample rack with up to 40 samples. Typical applications has been counting of bacteria and phytoplankton.

Microbalance

Mettler Toledo XPR 6UD5
A microbalance with the capacity to weigh samples up to 6.1 g, a readability of 0.0005 mg and a minimum weight of 0.06 mg. It is equipped with an antistatic unit.

Acknowledgement

All analyses performed within BAF must be acknowledged in any publication. Bibliographic information must be sent to Anders Jonsson for archiving purposes.

Steering group

Steering group members

• Professor Ann-Kristin Bergström, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science
• Professor Reiner Giesler, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science
• Dr. Anders Jonsson, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science
• Professor Jan Karlsson, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science
• Professor Jurgen Schleucher, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics

Booking of analyses

Anders Jonsson, PhD
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science (EMG)

Postal address: Department of Ecology and Environmental Science (EMG), Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå
Visiting Address: KBC building, KB.H3, Linnaeus väg 6, Umeå
Umeå universitet, 901 87 Umeå
Mobile: 070-2778659
E-mail: anders.jonsson@umu.se

User Fees

For using the service and support from the Biogeochemical Analytical Facility (BAF) we take user fees.

See the Price list