Organic Reference Materials for Hydrogen, Carbon, and Nitrogen Stable Isotope-Ratio Measurements: Caffeines, n-Alkanes, Fatty Acid Methyl Esters, Glycines, L-Valines, Polyethylenes, and Oils

An international project developed, quality-tested, and determined isotope−δ values of 19 new organic reference materials (RMs) for hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen stable isotope-ratio measurements, in addition to analyzing pre-existing RMs NBS 22 (oil), IAEA-CH-7 (polyethylene foil), and IAEA-600 (caffeine). These new RMs enable users to normalize measurements of samples to isotope−δ scales. The RMs span a range of δ^2H_(VSMOW-SLAP) values from −210.8 to +397.0 mUr or ‰, for δ^(13)C_(VPDB-LSVEC) from −40.81 to +0.49 mUr and for δ^(15)N_(Air) from −5.21 to +61.53 mUr. Many of the new RMs are amenable to gas and liquid chromatography. The RMs include triads of isotopically contrasting caffeines, C_(16) n-alkanes, n-C_(20)-fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), glycines, and L-valines, together with polyethylene powder and string, one n-C_(17)-FAME, a vacuum oil (NBS 22a) to replace NBS 22 oil, and a ^2H-enriched vacuum oil. A total of 11 laboratories from 7 countries used multiple analytical approaches and instrumentation for 2-point isotopic normalization against international primary measurement standards. The use of reference waters in silver tubes allowed direct normalization of δ2H values of organic materials against isotopic reference waters following the principle of identical treatment. Bayesian statistical analysis yielded the mean values reported here. New RMs are numbered from USGS61 through USGS78, in addition to NBS 22a. Because of exchangeable hydrogen, amino acid RMs currently are recommended only for carbon- and nitrogen-isotope measurements. Some amino acids contain ^(13)C and carbon-bound organic ^2H-enrichments at different molecular sites to provide RMs for potential site-specific isotopic analysis in future studies

Minimum requirements for publishing hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur stable-isotope delta results (IUPAC Technical Report)

Stable hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur (HCNOS) isotope compositions expressed as isotope-delta values are typically reported relative to international standards such as Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water (VSMOW), Vienna Peedee belemnite (VPDB) or Vienna Cañon Diablo Troilite (VCDT). These international standards are chosen by convention and the calibration methods used to realise them in practice undergo occasional changes. To ensure longevity and reusability of published data, a comprehensive description of (1) analytical procedure, (2) traceability, (3) data processing, and (4) uncertainty evaluation is required. Following earlier International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry documents on terminology and notations, this paper proposes minimum requirements for publishing HCNOS stable-isotope delta results. Each of the requirements are presented with illustrative example

Der Weiterbildende Masterstudiengang Supervision und Beratung an der Universität Bielefeld - ein sozialwissenschaftlich-psychoanalytischer Ansatz

Gröning K. Der Weiterbildende Masterstudiengang Supervision und Beratung an der Universität Bielefeld - ein sozialwissenschaftlich-psychoanalytischer Ansatz. In: Gerspach M, Eggert-Schmid Noerr A, Naumann T, Lisa N, eds. Psychoanalyse lehren und lernen an der Hochschule. Theorie, Selbstreflexion, Praxis. Stuttgart: Verlag W. Kohlhammer; 2014: 124-136

New Guidelines for δ13C Measurements

Consistency of δ13C measurements can be improved 39-47% by anchoring the δ13C scale with two isotopic reference materials differing substantially in 13C/12C. It is recommended that δ13C values of both organic and inorganic materials be measured and expressed relative to VPDB (Vienna Peedee belemnite) on a scale normalized by assigning consensus values of -46.6‰ to L-SVEC lithium carbonate and +1.95‰ to NBS 19 calcium carbonate. Uncertainties of other reference material values on this scale are improved by factors up to two or more, and the values of some have been notably shifted: the δ13C of NBS 22 oil is -30.03‰.

New guidelines for delta C-13 measurements

Consistency of delta C-13 measurements can be improved 39-47% by anchoring the delta C-13 scale with two isotopic reference materials differing substantially in C-13/C-12. It is recommended that delta C-13 values of both organic and inorganic materials be measured and expressed relative to VPDB (Vienna Peedee belemnite) on a scale normalized by assigning consensus values of -46.6 parts per thousand to L-SVEC lithium carbonate and +1.95 parts per thousand to NBS 19 calcium carbonate. Uncertainties of other reference material values on this scale are improved by factors up to two or more, and the values of some have been notably shifted: the delta C-13 of NBS 22 oil is -30.03 parts per thousand

Atomic weights of the elements 2013

The biennial review of atomic-weight determinations and other cognate data has resulted in changes for the standard atomic weights of nineteen elements. The standard atomic weights of four elements have been revised based on recent determinations of isotopic abundances in natural terrestrial materials: cadmium to 112.414(4) from 112.411(8), molybdenum to 95.95(1) from 95.96(2), selenium to 78.971(8) from 78.96(3), and thorium to 232.0377(4) from 232.038 06(2). The Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights (ciaaw.org) also revised the standard atomic weights of fifteen elements based on the 2012 Atomic Mass Evaluation: aluminium (aluminum) to 26.981 5385(7) from 26.981 5386(8), arsenic to 74.921 595(6) from 74.921 60(2), beryllium to 9.012 1831(5) from 9.012 182(3), caesium (cesium) to 132.905 451 96(6) from 132.905 4519(2), cobalt to 58.933 194(4) from 58.933 195(5), fluorine to 18.998 403 163(6) from 18.998 4032(5), gold to 196.966 569(5) from 196.966 569(4), holmium to 164.930 33(2) from 164.930 32(2), manganese to 54.938 044(3) from 54.938 045(5), niobium to 92.906 37(2) from 92.906 38(2), phosphorus to 30.973 761 998(5) from 30.973 762(2), praseodymium to 140.907 66(2) from 140.907 65(2), scandium to 44.955 908(5) from 44.955 912(6), thulium to 168.934 22(2) from 168.934 21(2), and yttrium to 88.905 84(2) from 88.905 85(2). The Commission also recommends the standard value for the natural terrestrial uranium isotope ratio, N(238U)/N(235U) = 137.8(1). Additional clarification is given pertaining to the interpretation and practical use of the interval notation.JRC.D.3-Knowledge Transfer and Standards for Securit