Storing standard water for Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) analysis requires meticulous attention to prevent contamination and isotopic alteration, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of analytical results. FACOP experts have extensive experience in establishing best practices for the storage of isotopic standards, which include:

• Use of High-Purity Containers: Standard water should be stored in airtight, chemically inert containers such as pre-cleaned glass or fluorinated polymer vials to avoid isotopic exchange or contamination from container materials.
• Minimizing Headspace: Containers are filled completely or with minimal headspace to reduce exposure to atmospheric gases, which can alter isotopic composition through exchange or evaporation.
• Temperature Control: Storage at stable, low temperatures (typically 4°C or lower) is recommended to limit microbial growth and isotopic fractionation over time.
• Avoiding Exposure to Light and Air: Standards must be protected from light and air exposure to prevent photochemical reactions or atmospheric contamination.
• Proper Labeling and Documentation: Comprehensive labeling and tracking systems are employed to ensure traceability and quality control of standards over their lifespan.

FACOP’s expertise encompasses not only the technical protocols for storage but also the rigorous quality assurance processes that maintain standard water integrity, ensuring highly reliable IRMS isotopic measurements for diverse applications including environmental studies, geochemistry, and forensic investigations.

For IRMS internal standard water, store high-purity HPLC-grade water in airtight, inert containers (e.g., glass with PTFE-lined caps) at stable, low temperatures to prevent isotopic drift, contamination, and evaporation. Minimize container openings and headspace to maintain isotopic integrity over time.

A practical indicator is mass loss on storage in a refrigerator and as above to use the best containers you can find