If you are a first-time client (or a repeat client requesting a different service) please contact us before sending your samples so we can help you choose the right analysis for your samples. If you are a returning client please give us a heads-up when you’re sending samples.

1. For water samples, or if you plan to do the digestions yourself please refer to our Sample Preparation Guidelines for information on preparing the samples.

2. Label tubes clearly with a unique identifier. Close the lids tightly and seal well with parafilm. For liquids, cell pellets, or animal tissue, seal the tubes in a plastic bag with some paper towel or an absorbent pad in case of leaks (for fizzy liquids or alcohol please double-bag, with absorbent in the second bag as well). Package in a crush-proof box or container. Proteins, cell pellets, and animal tissue should be shipped frozen in an insulated box with dry ice.

3. Complete the Plasma Chemistry Laboratory Sample Submission Form, and include a printed copy in the shipment (outside of the bag for animal, cell pellet, or liquid samples). For cell pellets and animal tissue please record the sample weights on the sample submission form. If you are sending more than 10 samples, please also e-mail us an electronic copy of the sample submission form or a sample inventory.

4. Address the package to:

Attn: Plasma Chem Lab
Center for Applied Isotope Studies
120 Riverbend Rd.
Athens, GA 30602
USA

Please note we do not receive samples on weekends or holidays so please DO NOT select any Saturday or weekend delivery options. For frozen samples, please try to time your shipment so the samples do not spend the weekend on a truck or in a warehouse (i.e., ship them on a Monday or Tuesday so they arrive on a Wednesday or Thursday).

5. Local clients may drop off samples with a completed sample submission form Monday – Friday (excluding UGA holidays) 8:30am – 4:30pm.

Turnaround: Standard turnaround time is 4 – 12 weeks, but it may take longer if we run into unanticipated issues. Our current rates are in the tables below.

Rates & Fees: Our standard prices and discounts are in the tables below for samples received after December 31, 2023, unless you have an existing estimate dated less than one year earlier and have not yet submitted those samples.

Quotes & Purchase Orders: If you require an estimate or formal quote, please let us know the sample type/matrix, number of samples, type of analysis and sample preparation required, and what elements you need measured. Please reference your quote No. on your submission form. If you plan to use a purchase order (PO) and you work at a university or large company you will most likely need a formal quote before you can request a PO, which should be done before submitting samples. Please reference the PO No. on your submission form and send a copy of your PO to icpms@uga.edu.

Payments: Please see the CAIS FAQ.

New clients: Please contact us prior to submitting samples.

For training, demos, or large/ongoing projects please contact us.

ICP-OES (Listed in order of atomic number)

• Standard Elements: Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, Si*, P, K, Ca, Ti*, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn*, Ba, Tl, Pb, Ce.
• Non-standard Elements: S, Sc, Ga, Ge*, Rb, Y, Ru, Rh, Pd, Sb*, Te, Cs, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Re, Ir, Pt, Au, Bi, Th, U.

ICP-MS (Listed in order of atomic number)

• Standard Elements: Li, Be, Na**, Mg, Al, K**, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Ba, Tl, Pb, U.
• Non-standard Elements: Sc, Ti*, Ge*, Y, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Sn*, Sb*, Te, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Re, Ir, Pt, Au, Bi, Th.

*  Not available for some sample types; please inquire

**ICP-MS for trace levels only