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Mass Spectrometry Laboratory

Head of the laboratory dr. Rūta Druteikienė
phone +370 5 2661648

Objectives of mass spectrometry laboratory are  to conduct the long-term research and experimental development in physics and technology, achieve the international level competence; to apply mass spectrometry methods to the environmental research, nuclear safety, radioecology fields; to develop new areas of research in biomedical investigations and biotechnology; to participate in international research programs; to cooperate with domestic and foreign institutions of higher education in preparing highly qualified specialists.
Research areas
  • Stable isotope analysis of the size-segregated atmospheric and combustion aerosols
  • Stable isotopes as tracers for the evaluation of trophic position and food webs of the animals
  • Neutron irradiation reconstruction in the reactor graphite using the13C/12C ratio
  • Stoichiometry determination in bionanocomposites
  • Food authentication (e.g. detection of adulteration of sugar in fruit juice)
  • Ecology (feeding habits, food webs, invasive species, etc.)
  • Geology (sedimentation processes, climate reconstruction, etc.)
  • Hydrology (water sources, precipitation)

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
The inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer “Element 2” (Thermo Fischer Scientific) is operated at the lab. Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (MSL)offers interference-free measurements across the periodic table covering a mg/L to sub pg/L concentration range, from ultra-trace to matrix components. Multielemental analysis is performed using high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) ELEMENT-2 (ThermoFinnigan AB) with input systems:

  • Laser ablation system (UP213, New Wave) for solid sample introduction
  • High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC, Agilent 1100) for compound specific analysis

Radiocarbon Dating
Mass Spectrometry Laboratory offers a complete radiocarbon dating service for a range of materials such as sediments, wood, charcoal, bone, water foraminifera, and peat used in archaeology, geology, environmental and atmospheric studies.
MSL is equipped with single stage accelerator mass spectrometer (SSAMS, NEC, USA) since January 2016. An accuracy of the measured 14C/12C ratio is better than 0.3 %.
Radiocarbon dating in MSL implies sample pre-treatment, graphitization using elemental analyzer (EA, Vario Isotope Select, Elementar, GmbH) connected to the Automated Graphitization Equipment AGE 3 (IonPlus AG).

Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS)
Mass spectrometry laboratory is equipped with isotope ratio mass spectrometers (Thermo Finnigan Delta plus Advantage, Thermo Scientific Delta V Advantage) connected with input devices:

  • Elemental analyzer (Thermo Flash EA 1112) for C, N, S isotopic analysis of the solid samples
  • Gas chromatograph (Trace GC ultra) for C, N isotopic analysis of liquid and gaseous samples, sample preparation and measurements of amino and fatty acids
  • GasBench II (Thermo Scientific) for C and O isotopes in carbonates, water, CO2, DIC (dissolved inorganic carbon)
  • TC/EA high temperature conversion elemental analyzer (Thermo Scientific) for O and H isotope ratio determination of all organic compounds and water

We provide quantitative analysis of elemental and isotopic composition for science and industry in:

  • Environmental samples
  • Industrial products and raw materials
  • Artworks and historical artefacts
  • Food 
  • Health and safety-related materials

Our services:

  • Physical and chemical pre-treatment of samples
  • 14C measurement by SSAMS
  • δ2H, δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S determination of solid, liquid and gaseous samples by IRMS
  • Multielemental analysis by ICP-MS