We want to streamline a 13C/12C procedure by releasing strong acid into
seawater samples while keeping them sealed  in quartz tubes. ARe there
tested  methods for such an operation?  We're thinking of adding a small
glass capillary in which  conc. sulfuric is sandwiched between two small
air spaces, with the ends sealed with pre-autoclaved, molten paraffin
wax (or other meltable, inert, CO2-free sealant),  then heating /shaking
to release. Maybe the bugs have been worked out of some such schemes?

Thanks in advance for your experiences/advice.

OLIVER C. ZAFIRIOU
MS4, Fye Building
Department of Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole, MA  02543-1543
USA

email: [log in to unmask]
Tel:   (508) 289-2342
Fax: (508) 457-2164