An automated purification method for archaeal and bacterial tetraethers in soils and sediments

► An automated method is described for the separation of GDGTs from lipid extracts. ► Its efficiency was assessed using different cartridges, as well as soil and sediment aliquots. ► Repeatability of the GDGT-based indices was satisfactory and the values compared well with manual method values. ► Application of the automated method to a paleorecord confirmed the similarity to the manual method.