36158-33a - Asymmetric Flow-Field Fractionation (A4F) System

Notice is hereby given by the University of Ottawa of the intent to enter into a contract with Postnova Analytics Inc. to procure an Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (A4F) system integrated with a multi-detector suite, smart stream splitting technology and autosampler and fraction collector, to provide critical infrastructure for the establishment of the Marine Biogeochemistry Laboratory at the University of Ottawa. This technology will allow for high-resolution sampling of size-fractionated marine particles and macromolecules for chemical characterization and natural abundance radiocarbon (14C) dating. By enabling high-resolution of polymer and particle size distributions and trace-metal free fraction collection of marine organic matter constituents of interest, this combination instrument offers powerful opportunities for compound and particle-specific radiocarbon analysis. These measurements will aid our ability to quantify biological processes governing the marine carbon cycle in Canadian oceans and global ocean basins. This technology will add to the growing infrastructure at the Andre E. Lalonde Accelerator Mass Spectrometry national facility designated to build out a state-of-the-art compound-specific radiocarbon program; a key objective of the proposed MicroSTARR research program.