High throughput nitrogen analysis for ecological studies

The analysis of total nitrogen (N) is the most common chemical assay used by ecologists. Australian environments are unproductive because they contain little N and changes in atmospheric CO2 will exacerbate this. We have invented a way to measure the availability of N to animals that enables us to measure habitat quality and how forests change with climate. However, the new method requires many analyses of N in plants. Our existing N analysis relies on the Kjeldahl method and, although reliable, is slow and hazardous. The LECO combustion N device will allow the analysis of many more samples, reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals and allow ecologists to better monitor and predict the effects of climate change.