Dear list members,

I have just had a query from some one preparing soils for 15N and 13C
analysis by CN analyzer/IRMS.  They want to remove carbonate prior to
analysis.  Does the addition of HCl work, or does leave so much HCl residue
that Cl becomes a problem in the combustino tube?  Is there an accepted
published method?  I seem to recall one method using HCl vapor instead of
the acid directly on the soil itself, but I cannot find the reference.

Thanks in advance,

Paul Brooks.



Paul D. Brooks,
Dept. ESPM-ES,
147 Higard Hall MC 3110,
UC Berkeley, Ca. 94720-3110.

phone (510)643-1748,
FAX (510)643-5098.