Product Application: Isotopic Analysis with Grade F Borosilicate Filters

Water, whether seawater or freshwater, is rarely just H2O.  Dissolved nitrites and nitrates in particular play a key role in the survival of aquatic flora like seaweeds.  In 2005, Matthew R. McIlvin and Mark A. Altabet devised a now common method to analyze the isotopic composition of nitrogen and oxygen dissolved in water in the form of nitrates and nitrites.  The method, which can be found here, requires the removal of all organic matter in the samples. The Grade F borosilicate glass fiber filter, with fine porosity, medium flow rate, and a 0.7 micron size particle retention, is the tool of choice for removing organic matter from water samples.