Gas chromatograph-combustion system and method for mass spectrometry

A gas chromatograph-combustion apparatus and method are disclosed in which the carrier gas type and flow rate is continuously exchanged to facilitate high speed, high sensitivity compound specific isotope analysis. Samples are injected into a gas chromatograph that uses H2 as the carrier gas. The gas stream exiting the gas chromatograph is passed through a combustion system in which H2 and the samples are combusted, simultaneously and totally, to oxidize the sample to CO2 and/or N2 gas, and to convert H2 gas to water vapor. Water vapor is removed using a water separator. Therefore, combustion serves the dual purpose of preparing the samples for isotopic analysis and converting H2 to water vapor, which can be easily separated out. A second carrier gas may be used to convey the CO2 and N2 to a mass spectrometer where the isotopic composition (e.g. 14C or 15N) is determined