Panoply - All analyses

Measurements of low-field magnetic susceptibility on discrete samples

2025-12-11T13:55:28+00:00

Susceptibilitymeter MFK2-FA (AGICO) for the measurement of low-field susceptibility, its frequency dependence and its anisotropy

Instrument description:

The MFK2-FA susceptibilitymeter measures low-field susceptibility at three different frequencies (916, 3904 and 15616 Hz) and at variable fields (2 to 700 A/m). With a sensitivity of 2.10-8 SI (at low frequency), it is suitable for discrete samples of various types and up to several centimetres in size. The device also allows to precisely determine the tensor of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility using a rotation measurement mode in three different positions.

Analyses performed on the instrument:

Low-field magnetic susceptibility
Measurement of frequency dependence
Measurement of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS)
Adapted for discrete centimetric samples of rocks, sediments, soils, archaeological baked clays…

Contacts:

Gwenaël Hervé : 01.69.08.02.48 / gwenael.herve[a]lsce.ipsl.fr

Funding:

DIM-MAP ANIMAS project

Measurements of the palaeointensity of the geomagnetic field

2025-12-11T13:41:31+00:00

Mobile furnace for paleointensity experiments (homemade equipment with Pyrox furnace)

Instrument description:

The device is designed in two parts: a mobile furnace (left side of the photo) and a fixed zone under a controlled magnetic field with a tube where the samples are located (right side of the photo). The sample holder in inconel can contain 48 standard-sized samples. Once at the desired temperature, the furnace is placed around the tube. Three independent heating zones ensure temperature uniformity. Depending on the temperature, the heating duration is 1 to 2 hours, after which the furnace is removed. The samples are then cooled by inertia or by air circulation along the tube.
The heating-cooling cycles are performed in air or under Argon flow continuously passing over the samples. The laboratory magnetic field, parallel to the tube axis, is maintained by a power supply with an accuracy of 0.1 µT and controlled throughout the experiment using a Foerster probe (model Magnetoscop 1.070 PFD-100).

Principle of analysis:

The device was specifically designed for Thellier-Thellier double-heating paleointensity protocols. Heating-cooling cycles can be performed with a magnetic field applied in two opposite directions or without field. The remanent magnetization of samples is measured after each cycle using the high-homogeneity cryogenic magnetometer. The possibility to perform heating-cooling cycles under Argon flow limits mineralogical changes in volcanic rocks during the protocol. The device also allows to correct paleointensities for the effects of anisotropy and cooling rate (slow cooling over approximately 6 hours).

Analyses performed on the instrument:

Thellier-Thellier palaeointensity protocols
On discrete standard-size specimens of volcanic rocks and archaeological baked clays.

Contacts:

Gwenaël Hervé : 01.69.08.02.48 / gwenael.herve[a]lsce.ipsl.fr

Simultaneous analysis of DIC and δ13C in small volumes of natural, fresh and marine waters

2024-04-18T12:28:22+00:00

AS-D1 from Apollo SciTech

Instrument description

The AS-D1 analyser, marketed by instrumentation company Apollo SciTech, is a device coupling liquid sample injectors, gas separators and simultaneous Picarro CRDS measurements of CO2 and 13Ccontent with accuracies of ±2 µmol/L for DIC and ±0.1‰ for δ13C. This coupling of instruments minimises sample handling (no gas separation) minimising contamination and sample loss.

Principle of analysis

The AS-D1 analyser enables simultaneous analysis of DIC and δ13C with precision and in small sample volumes of fresh or marine waters, in the millilitre range. Depending on the volume of sample available but the injection can range from 0.75 ml to 4 ml. At most, 3 samples are taken (injection by automatic syringe). The sample is injected into the reaction cell, surrounded by two volumes of H3PO4 (3% H3PO4 in 7% NaCl), where it is mixed. In the reaction cell, the sample + H3PO4 is mixed and the DIC is converted into CO2, which is sent via a flow of dry air (drierite - calcium sulphate filter) and CO2-free air (ascarite filter), into a Picarro analyser (CRDS). The analysis takes about 12 minutes per injection. The DIC is calibrated using certified seawater (Certified Reference Materials Laboratory, Professor Andrew G. Dickson, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, co2crms@ucsd.edu) and the δ13C calibration is currently being validated.

Analyses performed on the instrument

DIC and δ13C

Contacts

Bruno Bombled : Bruno.bombled[a]lsce.ipsl.fr

Funding

UVSQ for the Apollo analyzer part and CEA For the Picarro part

Alkalinity measurements and acid-base kinetics

2024-02-12T13:39:30+00:00

Mettler Toledo T5 Excellence

Potentiometric titrator for carbonate and bicarbonate analysis (alkalinity) or acid-base kinetics

Instrument description

The potentiometric titrator (Mettler Toledo T5 Excellence) allows to measure the concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate ions in natural waters. It also measures the kinetics of acid-base equilibria.

Principle of analysis

A liquid sample (of known volume) is introduced into a beaker. A magnetic bar stirs the solution (a colored indicator can be added). A precision syringe adds an acid or base of known concentration to the solution. When the addition of acid or base causes the pH to vary, the instrument measures the inflection points of the pH curves. For alkalinity, around pH=8.3 is the first equivalence point which corresponds to the transformation of carbonate ions into bicarbonate ions, then a second equivalence point corresponding to the transformation of bicarbonate ions into carbonic acid around of pH=4.3. It gives the alkalinity of the sample.
See principle of measurement here: https://chimieanalytique.com/potentiometrie/

Analyses performed on the instrument

Carbonate (CO₃^2-) and bicarbonate (HCO₃^-) ions for alkalinity measurement with an accuracy of +/- 5%, 20 mL minimum sample for analysis.

Contacts

Gaël Monvoisin : 01.69.15.71.74 / gael.monvoisin[a]universite-paris-saclay.fr

Fundings

OSUPS Sciences of the Univers Observatory of university Paris-Saclay: Year 2020.

Analyzes of the concentration of major cations in solution

2024-02-12T11:52:47+00:00

ThermoFischer Scientific Aquion

Ionic Chromatography for cation concentrations analysis (Li⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Mg²⁺, Cs²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺)

Instrument description

Ionic chromatography (ThermoFischer Scientific Aquion) measures the cation concentrations of solutions. The separation of cations can be done on different columns depending on the matrix and ions of interest.

Principle of analysis

A liquid sample (filtered) is introduced, from the autosampler, into an injection loop, then through a column separating the ions which arrive, one after the other, separated by the column, on a detection cell (here conductimetry). The concentration of the cations is determined in relation to a previously established calibration range.
See measurement principle here: http://spin.mines-stetienne.fr/sites/default/files/chromion.pdf

Analyses performed on the instrument

Major cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Mg²⁺, Cs²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺) between 0.005 and 100 ppm depending on the elements with an accuracy of +/- 5%, only on liquid solutions (filtered).

Contacts

Gaël Monvoisin : 01.69.15.71.74 / gael.monvoisin[a]universite-paris-saclay.fr

Funding

Domain of Major Interest – Patrimonial and Ancient Materials (DIM MAP) (DIM MAP) : Year 2020.

Automatic system for CO2 graphitisation

2023-12-14T14:36:40+00:00

GG (Gas Graphitisation) “made in” LSCE

Instrument description

Seven automatic and independent lines for the graphitization of CO₂ originating mainly from the acid attack of carbonates. The graphite produced is then transformed into a target for ¹⁴C measurement on EchoMicadas

Principle of analysis

The CO₂ is reduced to graphite using hydrogen and in the presence of iron powder serving as a catalyst and brought to 580°C

Contacts

Arnaud Dapoigny: 01.69.08.04.70 / arnaud.dapoigny@lsce.ipsl.fr