The Aquatic Research Cluster (ARC) provides analytical research facilities and support services for determination of lipids and carbon and nitrogen content of aquatic samples to faculty researchers, undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows within the University, as well as to government agencies and private sector R&D companies.  ARC currently has analytical laboratories specializing in the determination of organic compounds (lipids and amino acids) and elements (carbon and nitrogen) in samples from the aquatic environment. The lipid lab has instrumentation for performing extractions, thin layer chromatography (TLC), and gas chromatography (GC). The C/N lab has instrumentation for determining dissolved and particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (DOC, POC, DON, PON). Samples may be submitted to be run by the ARC staff, or users may process their own samples, in which case training will be provided by ARC staff.

• Biological and Life Sciences
• Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Engineering - Chemical, Nuclear, Other
• Environmental and Earth Sciences
• Marine/Ocean Sciences

• Biotechnology
• Education
• Energy (Renewable and Fossil)
• Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Ocean Industries

The Iatroscan is routinely used to measure lipid classes.

• Equipped with both FID and FPD detectors.
• The FID is used for determination of organic compounds
• The FPD is used for the determination of phosphorous and sulphur
• Both the FID and FPD can be used simultaneously. 
• Software used is Peak Simple

The GC is used to quantify fatty acids.

• Equipped with an 7683 auto sampler.
• The injector is normally set up for 320 μm capillary columns, but can be changed to fit other columns.
• The injector is temperature programmable and configured for on-column injection
• Software used is Agilent OpenLAB CDS

This instrument is used for amino acid and sterol analyses.

• Equipped with a CP-8400 auto sampler.
• The injector type is split/splitless. 
• Software used is Agilent OpenLAB CDS

This is a multi use instrument

• Equipped with a 7693A auto sampler.
• The injector type is a temperature programmable multi-mode inlet. 
• Software used is Agilent OpenLAB CDS

The analyzer gives values for carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen in particulate samples.

The analyzer is equipped with an auto sampler that will hold 60 samples.

The analyzer can measure total carbon (TC), inorganic carbon (IC), non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC), purgeable organic carbon (POC), and total nitrogen (TN). 

The instrument is equipped with a 48 sample auto sampler.