Stable Isotope Laboratory (ISOLAB)

At the Stable Isotope Laboratory, we perform analyses of stable isotopes of selected light elements. We specialize in analyzing the isotopic composition of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. We have experience in geological samples (sediments, rocks, minerals, fossils), organic samples (soil, organism remains), and water samples (groundwater, surface water, meteoric water).

 

Analyses:

  • δ13C and δ18O in carbonates (e.g., limestones, siderites, carbonate concretions, mollusc shells, carbonate fossils, carbonate fraction of vertebrate tooth enamel),
  • δ18O in phosphates (e.g., apatites, vertebrate tooth enamel),
  • δ34S and δ18O in sulfates (e.g., gypsum, anhydrite), δ34S in sulfides (e.g., piryte),
  • δ13C and δ15N in organic matter (e.g., soil humus, lake sediments, bone collagen, plant remains),
  • δ2H and δ18O in water (e.g., rainwater, groundwater, drinking water samples),
  • δ13C of inorganic carbon dissolved in water (DIC, e.g. in groundwater, mineral water, water from karst systems).

Description of instrumentation and analytical methods >>

Our analyses are used for paleoecological, paleoclimatic, geochemical, and hydrogeological research, to list the most frequent research fields only. We extensively collaborate with botanists, ecologists, archaeologists, paleontologists, and anthropologists. Our cooperation with various scientific institutions allows us for continuously expanding our analytical capabilities.

Calibration

We calibrate isotope measurement results using reference materials with known isotopic composition. We employ a 3-point calibration. We use certified reference materials (Reference Materials-Stable Isotopes, Reference Materials and Calibration Services | U.S. Geological Survey, Isotope Reference Materials | Elemental Microanalysis) and internal standards, i.e., materials with isotopic compositions referred to certified materials (link to the list).

Contact

Stable Isotope Laboratory

Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences

Twarda Street 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw

tel. (48) 22 6978-714

e-mail: b.gebus@twarda.pan.pl

Team

 

Laboratory Manager: Beata Gebus-Czupyt, PhD – Assistant Professor

tel. (48) 22 6978-714

e-mail: b.gebus@twarda.pan.pl

Magdalena Radzikowska, MSc. – Chief Specialist in Isotope Geochemistry
tel.: (48) 22 6978-728
e-mail: radzikowska@twarda.pan.pl

Michał Balcerski, MSc. – Technician

tel.: (48) 22 6978-806

e-mail: m.balcerski@twarda.pan.pl