Analytical Services and Prices

The RSIL is open and can accept samples for analysis. Please send an email to isotopes@usgs.gov if you plan to send samples so that the RSIL can be responsive to your sample shipment.

Analytical Services

Laboratory services are provided for USGS programs and personnel. However, laboratory services can be provided to other federal, state, and county agencies and private firms by entering an agreement - either a USGS FACILITY SERVICE/USER AGREEMENT, REIMBURSABLE AGREEMENT, or INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT (required for federal customers). The analytical costs will be higher than those listed because other costs, such as USGS overhead, must be added. Please contact Jennifer Lorenz (jlorenz@usgs.gov) for prices and additional information.

The submitter should fill out either the Standard Submission Excel Form or the QWDATA Compatible Submission Excel Form (an individual file is needed for each type of analysis). The file should be e-mailed to isotopes@usgs.gov. Submitters should not change the format of a Submission Excel file because laboratory personnel may not be able to import it without modifying it. Modifying the format of Submission Excel files may result in an additional charge for time needed to correct the formatting.

• If users provide information on the QWDATA Compatible Submission Excel Form, the QWDATA files, Sample_d.dat and Result_d.dat, will be uploaded on the QW Data Transfer System (QWDX) with USGS procedure codes (list of RSIL lab codes, method codes, and procedure codes) and an Excel spreadsheet of the results and confirmation of successful upload to QWDX system will be e-mailed to the sample submitter.

To request and pay in advance for isotopic analyses of samples to be collected next fiscal year, use the RSIL Advanced Request Form.

Submissions should be sent to:

Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory (RSIL)
U.S. Geological Survey
Mail Stop 431, Room 5B142
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20192
(703) 648-5859

Exception: samples for tritium analysis by electrolytic enrichment and liquid scintillation counting should be submitted to the Menlo Park Isotope Laboratory with the Menlo Park QWDATA Compatible Submission Excel Form (instructions and prices).

• Please provide a prepared return shipping label if you ship your samples in a cooler. Otherwise, your cooler will not be returned to you.
• General turnaround time for analysis is 2-4 weeks, but may be longer due to seasonal sample load. For information on express services, please email isotopes@usgs.gov. Priority service is available with advance notice. Turn-around time for priority service is 24 to 48 hours for hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios of water. The surcharge is an additional 50 percent. Please contact the laboratory to arrange.
• The RSIL has a soil permit. Please contact the RSIL in advance of sending soil samples in order to obtain a U.S. Department of Agriculture entry label.

Prices for each type of analysis

SOP = Standard Operating Procedure
Last updated: May 3, 2022.

Noble gas stable-isotope measurements by mass spectrometry 
Instructions

Tritium analysis by electrolytic enrichment and liquid scintillation counting (Menlo Park)
Instructions and Prices
Use the Menlo Park QWDATA Compatible Submission Excel Form

Both H-2/H-1 and O-18/O-16 isotope-ratio mass spectrometric analysis of water (samples > 3.5 mL)
Instructions, Hydrogen-2 of water SOP, Oxygen-18 of water SOP

Only H-2/H-1 isotope-ratio mass spectrometric analysis of water
Instructions, SOP

Only O-18/O-16 isotope-ratio mass spectrometric analysis of water
Instructions, SOP                      

Both H-2/H-1 and O-18/O-16 isotope-ratio mass spectrometric analysis of pore water in sediments and plant material (toluene extraction method)
Instructions, SOP

N-15/N-14 and O-18/O-16 of NO₃ in water (user must provide NO₃ concentration accurate to within ±10 percent)
Instructions, SOP

N-15/N-14 of dissolved NH₄ in water (user must provide NH₄ concentration accurate to within ±20 percent) 
Instructions, SOP

C-13/C-12 and O-18/O-16 of powdered calcite
Instructions

C-13/C-12 of DIC (40 mL glass vial with butyl rubber septa provided by RSIL). For instructions, please contact RSIL.

DIC sampling instructions document

O-18/O-16 of solids (AgNO₃, NaNO₃, KNO₃, Ag₂SO₄, BaSO₄, keratins, collagens, wood, plants, and other organic compounds). For O-18/O-16 of other materials, please contact RSIL.

O-18/O-16 of organic liquids

H-2/H-1 of solids (keratins, collagens, wood, plants, and other organic compounds)

H-2/H-1 of organic liquids

For H-2/H-1 in other materials that have exchangeable hydrogen, please contact RSIL.

S-34/S-32 and O-18/O-16 analyses of sulfate in water
Instructions

S-34/S-32 analyses of sulfate in water
Instructions

S-34/S-32 analyses of sulfur in powdered solids
Instructions

C-13/C-12 and/or N-15/N-14 of powdered vertebrates
Instructions

C-13/C-12; N-15/N-14 of powdered plants, powdered invertebrates, and powdered sediments
C-13/C-12; N-15/N-14 of suspended particles or sediments on filters (sufficient mass amount that allows for multiple analyses)
Instructions

C-13/C-12; N-15/N-14 of suspended particles or sediments on filters (limited mass amount that allows for only one analysis for both C and N, pre-weighed or not)
Instructions

Stable isotopes in wood (timber): H-2/H-1, C-13/C-12, N-15/N-14, O-18/O-16, and S-34/S-32; H, C, N, O, and S concentrations
Instructions, Refer to LC1832 SOP

Stable isotopes and trace elements in wood (timber): H-2/H-1, C-13/C-12, N-15/N-14, O-18/O-16, and S-34/S-32; H, C, N, O, and S concentrations; Li, Be, B, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, La, Ce, Tl, Pb, and U. 
Instructions, Refer to LC1832 SOP

CO2 sensor prep and calibration