Centralised Analytical Chemistry – Stable isotopes

This facility carries out isotope analyses within the terrestrial, freshwater & marine scientific communities. 

These communities are in key global research localities such as the polar and desert regions and the tropics. The facility's main strength is its exclusive combination of sample preparation equipment, analytical instrumentation and staff expertise.

The staff expertise in isotope methodologies and instrumentation has allowed the introduction of "fit-for-purpose" technologies, methodologies and new applications. They provide a highly specialised unit for the ¹³C & ¹⁵N stable isotope analysis of biological, terrestrial and environmental materials for the UK’s ecological research community.

Overview and knowledge base

The Lancaster node of the National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF) is located within the Analytical Chemistry labs at UKCEH's Lancaster site. The NEIF provides a highly specialised unit for the 13C & 15N stable isotope analysis of biological, terrestrial and environmental materials for the UK’s ecological research community. The main strength of the facility is its exclusive combination of sample preparation equipment, analytical instrumentation and staff expertise.

The node specialises in the isotopic analysis of:

• Trace gases (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O)
• DIC, DOC, DON
• Soils, vegetation, bacterial mats, fungi, soil fauna (mites, enchytraeids, etc)
• Nitrogen gas (denitrification / nitrification)
• Acid traps/passive samplers/diffusion tubes
• K₂SO₄ extracts, KCl extracts and leachates
• Ammonium + nitrate from soil (Kjeldahl distillates, acidified filters)
• Microbial biomarkers, for example δ¹³C analysis of PLFAs, DNA, RNA (SIP methods).

Equipment

• 2 x EA-IRMS systems – automated for bulk ¹³C and ¹⁵N analyses of most environmental samples
• 2 x Gas-IRMS - equipped with Gilson auto sampler for CO₂, CH₄, N₂O and N₂ analyses of headspace or air samples
• Compound Specific IRMS - equipped with auto-sampler for δ¹³C analysis of PLFAs
• GC & GC-MS - for screening and identification of PLFA samples prior to isotopic determination
• Grinding facility: Glenn Preston liquid N₂ mills for preparation of samples for EA-IRMS

Projects

Examples of projects across UKCEH and NERC involving the stable isotope facility:

• Do Arctic plant-soil communities acclimate to long-term elevated CO₂ exposure?
• Respiration in the Andes: climate sensitivity of soil respiration
• Short circuits in the N cycle regulate ecosystem development in terrestrial Antarctic
• The role of lateral exchange in modulating the seaward flux of C, N & P (Macronutrients)
• The potential of biochar to suppress N₂O emissions in agricultural soils
• The role of mycorrhizal fungi in belowground cycling of carbon under bioenergy crops
• In situ peptide uptake and partitioning between grassland plant species and soil microbes along a productivity gradient
• Determining the influence of environmental factors upon dominant soil bacterial taxa and functioning
• Leaf litter carbon metabolism within microbial communities across a large tropical forest elevation gradient
• Local adaptation and adaptive divergence in the Senecio hybrid species complex (Mount Etna)
• Carbon sources contributing to pulses of soil respiration after rainfall in the Kalahari

Application procedure

Visit the National Environmental Isotope Facility for application deadlines and application form.