Analytical facilities at BGS which form part of the Centre for Environmental Geochemistry

Stable Isotope Facility

Stable isotopes research

Head: Professor Melanie Leng

Equipment and capabilities:

  • Elementar isoprime visION with vario PYRO cube for analysis of nitrogen and sulphur compounds: 15N/14N, 34S/32S, and 18O/16O of nitrate, ammonium, sulphate, sulphide and organic nitrogen and sulphur as well as 2H/1H, 13C/12C, 15N/14N, 18O/16O, and 3S/32S of bulk organic materials (plants, soils, sediments, etc.)
  • Elementar isoprime precisION with vario ISOTOPE cube for analysis of 13C/1C, 15N/14N and C/N of bulk organic materials (plants, soils, sediments etc.)
  • Elementar isoprime precisION with iso FLOW for analysis of 13C/12C of aqueous bicarbonate
  • GV IsoPrime with EuroPyrOH for analysis of water 2H/1H in marine and fresh waters, fluid inclusions and soil/plant materials
  • GV IsoPrime with MultiCarb for analysis of 13C/12C and 18O/16O of microfossil and other pure calcium carbonates
  • IsoPrime100 with MultiCarb for analysis of 13C/12C and 18O/16O of micro carbonates
  • IsoPrime100 with AquaPrep for analysis of water 18O/16O in marine and fresh waters, fluid inclusions and soil/plant materials
  • Sercon HS2002 with CyroGas for the analysis of 13/C/12C and 2H/1H of methane (and 13C/12C of CO2) from high to atmospheric concentrations in both gas and water samples
  • Thermo Delta V with EA IsoLink for very high precision analysis on a variety of matrices for 18O/16O, D/H, 13C/
    • 12C, 15N/14N, 34S/32S on small sample sizes at high precision
  • Thermo Finnigan MAT 253 with Manifold for analysis of 18O/16O and 30Si/28Si of rock minerals, biogenic silica and tooth/bone materials
  • VG Optima with Manifold for analysis of 13C/12C and 18O/16O of impure carbonates and aqueous bicarbonate

More about Stable Isotope Facility

Inorganic Geochemistry Facility

Inorganic Geochemistry Facility

Head: Dr Michael Watts

Equipment and capabilities:

  • inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instrumentation for the analysis of a comprehensive suite of major and trace elements. This includes ultra-trace detection limits (ng/l) for a range of elements in natural waters by ICP-MS. The ICP-MS facilities also include: laser ablation capability for the spatial analysis of solids on a micrometer scale, isotope-ratio measurement capability (e.g. uranium isotopes), element speciation capability using high pressure liquid chromatography ICP-MS (HPLC-ICP-MS), including investigation of arsenic and chromium species. Mercury analyser for analysis in various matrices. 210Pb analysis of peats and sediments using gamma spectrometry.
  • ion chromatography for analysis of anions
  • potentiometric titration for analysis of pH in waters and soils, and alkalinity in water
  • potentiometry for analysis of electrical conductivity
  • organic carbon analyser for non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC)
  • 210Pb dating facility

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Organic Geochemistry Facility

Organic Geochemistry Facility

Head: Dr Christopher Vane

Equipment and capabilities:

  • Rock–Eval(6) pyrolyzer for assessment of organic matter quality, maturity and source (16 parameters including TOC, HI, OI, RC, Tmax, MinC). Rock-Eval(6) carbon stability measurement of peats, soils and marine sediments as well as urban and agricultural soils.
  • Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(UHPLC-MS/MS Thermo Quantiva) for emerging pollutants (pharmaceuticals, hormones, personal care products, pesticides) and tetraether lipids (GDGT) to track environmental change.
  • Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS/MS Thermo TSQ 9000) for the measurement of pollutants in Brownfield soils, urban run–off and rural catchments. Suites include, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (>30 parent and alkylated PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (>30 PCB congeners including dioxin like forms), fire retardants (PBDE), organo–chlorines (DDT, DDE, HCH, Endrin) and faecal steroids (~30 stanols and sterols) to trace sewage treatment and animal input.
  • TOC analyser (Elementar–VarioMax) for TOC and TC % and Black Carbon.
  • Iatroscan(Mk6) for determination ofsaturate, aromatic, resins and asphaltenes (SARA). 
  • Gas–Chromatography for quantification of n–alkanes, fatty acids and levoglucosan.
  • Mid–Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) (BioRad) for characterisation of organic and mineral matter in peats, rural and urban soils, rock core and assessment of microplastics.
  • Microtox Bioassay Analyser for toxicity  of coastal/river sediments and waters.
  • Dermal Bioaccessibility tests transfer of pollutants from soil to the human body via skin.
  • Analytical Pyrolysis (CDS 2000) – GC/MS for molecular characterisation of polymeric natural organic matter (kerogens, coals, woods, peats) and anthropogenic materials such as microplastics.

More about Organic Geochemistry Facility

Dissolved Gases Facility

Dissolved Gases Facility. Photo copyright Professor Daren Gooddy.

Head: Professor Daren Gooddy

Equipment and capabilities:

  • 2 Agilent Gas Chromatographs fitted with electron capture detectors (GC–ECD) fitted with bespoke purge and trap systems (P&T) for analysis of groundwater residence time indicators CFC–11, CFC–12, Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) and Halon 1301
  • Agilent Gas Chromatograph fitted with Thermal Conductivity Detector (GC–TCD) and Flame Ionisation Detector (GC–FID) for simultaneous measurement of CH4 and CO2 in groundwaters
  • Agilent Gas Chromatograph fitted with electron capture detector for measurement of N2O in surface and groundwaters
  • Pfeiffer PrismaPlus Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer for measurement of Noble Gases He, Ne, Kr and Xe in waters