Environmental Sciences
From climate change and pollution monitoring, to origin testing and conservation, isotopic and elemental analysis is a valuable tool for understanding the natural world.
Protecting natural resources, and addressing some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges
Environmental science increasingly relies on advanced mass spectrometry techniques to understand the complex interactions between natural systems and human activities.
From tracking carbon through the atmosphere and oceans to identifying pollution sources, monitoring water resources, and characterising emerging contaminants such as nanoparticles and microplastics, isotope and elemental analysis provides critical insights into environmental processes. Techniques including MC-ICP-MS, TIMS, TOF-ICP-MS, and IRMS enable researchers to investigate climate change, ecosystem health, marine pollution, nutrient cycling, and environmental forensics with exceptional precision and sensitivity.
Trace elemental and isotopic analysis with high sensitivity, making it valuable for impurity monitoring and advanced nanomaterial research.
Enables high-precision isotopic measurements and advanced elemental investigations where isotope tracing or material provenance studies are required.
Exceptional speed and elemental coverage, analysing nearly the entire periodic table thousands of times per second.
Flexibility, high performance and reliability - achieve precise measurements from the smallest sample.
Featured Publications
Sequential S, N And C Isotope Analysis by EA-IRMS
Very Small Calcium Carbonate Sample Analysis
IRMS, MC-ICP-MS
Climate Change & Carbon Cycle Research
Isotope measurements provide a powerful way to investigate how carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, oceans, vegetation, and soils. By tracking these natural signatures, researchers can quantify greenhouse gas sources and sinks, evaluate carbon storage processes, and improve predictions of how ecosystems respond to a changing climate. The resulting data contributes to the development of more robust climate models and evidence-based environmental policies.
MC-ICP-MS, TIMS, IRMS
Pollution Source Tracking and Environmental Forensics
Isotopic analysis allows scientists to determine the origin of contaminants found in air, water, soil, and biological systems. Different pollution sources often carry unique isotopic signatures, making it possible to separate contributions from industrial activities, mining operations, agricultural practices, and urban development. These insights support environmental assessments, remediation projects, and long-term monitoring programmes.
IRMS, MC-ICP-MS, TIMS
Water Resources and Hydrological Studies
Environmental researchers use isotopes to follow the movement of water through complex natural systems. These techniques can reveal where water originates, how long it has been stored underground, and the pathways it follows through rivers, aquifers, and watersheds. Such information is essential for managing water supplies, assessing drought resilience, and protecting freshwater resources for future generations.
MC-ICP-MS, IRMS
Ocean and Marine Research
Isotope geochemistry offers valuable insights into the processes that shape marine environments. Scientists apply these methods to examine nutrient cycling, trace the movement of pollutants, investigate food-web interactions, and reconstruct past ocean conditions. Isotopic evidence also helps researchers understand how marine ecosystems respond to environmental pressures such as climate change and human activity.
TOF-ICP-MS
Nanoparticle, Microplastic and Atmospheric Particle Research
Advanced analytical techniques enable the detection and characterisation of nanoparticles particles within environmental samples. Researchers study engineered nanoparticles, airborne particulate matter, and microplastics to understand their sources, transport pathways, and persistence in the environment. This work helps assess potential ecological and human health impacts while supporting efforts to reduce environmental contamination.
IRMS, MC-ICP-MS
Soil Processes and Ecosystem Dynamics
Isotope-based investigations provide a deeper understanding of the biological and chemical interactions that occur within soils and ecosystems. Scientists use these approaches to study nutrient turnover, organic matter cycling, carbon retention, and the relationships between plants, microbes, and their surroundings. The knowledge gained supports sustainable land-use practices, habitat conservation, and ecosystem resilience research.
