Geological Mass Spectometry (GEMS)

Cutting-edge methods to examine the past.
The GEological Mass-Spectrometry laboratories (GEMS) provide state-of-the-art Continuous-Flow Isotope-Ratio Mass Spectrometry (CF-IRMS) for the investigation of environmental, biological and geological samples.

The stable-isotope facility, first commissioned in December 2005 and expanded a number of times since then, currently runs 3 continuous-flow Isoprime (now Elementar) IRMSs.

One is designated for Carbonates & water analyses, another for CN and high-temperature pyrolysis (H-O) while the third is specifically tasked with stable isotopes of molecular compounds.

Our applications broadly fit in one of the following three categories:

  • Hydrology: rainwater, rivers, lakes, oceans and groundwater/cave system
  • Geosystems: Carbonate fossils and sediments, organic carbon from sediments
  • Ecology: Organic composition of plant and invertebrate materials

For further details on any of these applications or to discuss possible collaborative research or consultancy please email Dr Matt O’Callaghan (Research Officer).