Our Services
SOMF houses advanced analytical instruments for characterizing SOM in sediments, soils, and rocks:
⚙️vario MAX cube
Organic C/N/S elemental analyzer
The elemental analyzer vario MAX cube is optimized for carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur determination by high-temperature combustion in organic and inorganic samples up to 5 g.
⚙️HAWK Workstation V2
Programmed Pyrolysis
The HAWK Workstation V2 from Wildcat Technologies analyzes all types of samples (rocks, soils, etc) containing natural or artificial organic matter and hydrocarbons to determine Total Organic Carbon (TOC), free hydrocarbons (S1), hydrocarbons generated from pyrolysis of kerogen (S2), thermal maturity (Tmax), and refractory organic carbon content as determined from the oxidation cycle of CO and CO2. The HAWK Instrument also determines carbonate content by measuring CO2 derived from the breakdown of carbonates at 850 C.
🔥What is organic matter programmed pyrolysis?
Pyrolysis is the high-temperature breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen.
Organic matter pyrolysis instruments, such as the HAWK, analyze samples by breaking down free hydrocarbons (oil, bitumen, diesel, etc) and the rock’s sedimentary organic matter component through a programmed-temperature pyrolysis process, measuring pyrolyzed hydrocarbons via a Flame Ionization Detector (FID) and the organic and inorganic carbon present in the sample.
•🔬Institutional network
Our partnership with the Manitoba Isotope Research Facility (MIRF) enables us to offer carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen stable isotope data essential for tracing processes across ecology, geology, archaeology, and climate systems. Together, these advanced instruments form a cohesive analytical ecosystem that enhances your understanding of modern organic geochemistry.
Get a Quote
email ricardo.silva@umanitoba.ca to obtain a quote