Isotopes
High-precision isotope ratio analysis across a wide range of sample types and applications
Every sample carries a hidden record in the ratios of its isotopes. At Hutton Scientific Services, we use that record to answer questions that other techniques can’t. Whether you’re tracing where water came from, dating a marine sediment, investigating reservoir compartmentalisation, or understanding nutrient cycling in soils, our isotope analysis services provide the precision and expertise to get you answers.
We work with commercial and academic clients using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) and Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (TIMS). Instruments capable of measuring both the lighter isotopes (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen) and the heavier ones (strontium, neodymium, samarium, lead).
Some of our methods are accredited to ISO 17025
What brings people to us
Got a question we can help answer?
You don’t need to be an isotope specialist to benefit from isotope analysis. Here’s what our clients typically bring to us.
We need to understand where this water came from
We analyse the strontium isotope composition of water samples to investigate their geological origin, trace changes in water composition during production, and support water allocation studies.
Water strontium isotopesWe want to know if our reservoir is compartmentalised
Using Strontium Residual Salt Analysis (SrRSA), we measure 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios in residual salts or water extracted from core samples revealing whether different parts of a reservoir or aquifer are connected.
SrRSAWe need an age date for a marine sediment
Our Strontium Isotope Stratigraphy service measures 87Sr/86Sr ratios in carbonate and sulphate minerals to high precision, providing age dates for marine sediments using the global seawater calibration dataset.
Strontium isotope stratigraphyWe’re trying to understand where a sediment came from
Samarium–Neodymium (Sm-Nd) isotope stratigraphy can zone reservoirs, correlate strata, and indicate sediment source terrain particularly useful for biostratigraphically barren clastic sequences where other methods don’t work.
Sm-Nd stratigraphyWe need to trace nutrient cycling or pollutants in the environment
We measure stable light isotopes (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O, δ²H) in soils, biological material, waters and gases to support research into biogeochemical cycling, food authenticity, forensics, and ecological studies.
IRMS — light stable isotopesWe want to understand trophic levels or animal movement
Isotope ratios in biological tissues record diet and location. We use carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and strontium isotopes to investigate trophic levels, migration, and provenance in ecological and food science contexts.
Ecological isotopesOur labs are well equipped with a range of isotope analysis instruments including:
Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) – which are capable of performing both bulk and compound specific isotope analysis on the lighter isotopes such as Carbon, Nitrogen and Oxygen. We have GC-C-IRMS, EA-IRMS, Gas bench-IRMS and TC/EA-IRMS.
Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer (TIMS) – for measuring heavy isotopes such as Strontium, Neodymium, Samarium and more.
Some of our methods a currently accredited to ISO17025 and we also keen to develop other methods to assist clients with their requirements.
We can carry out a range of high-quality isotope analysis on a range of sample types including rocks, waters, biological samples, soils, foods, gases, chemical products and many more.
Dr. Carol-Ann Craig, Inorganic Isotope Lead
With these instruments and our decades of expertise we are able to provide services for our commercial and academic clients on:
Isotope analysis has a proven track record in the oil and gas industry, particularly for reservoir studies and water management.
Strontium Residual Salt Analysis (SrRSA): 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios measured in residual salts or water from core samples, used to investigate reservoir or aquifer compartmentalisation.
Strontium Isotope Stratigraphy: high-precision age dating of marine sediments from core, side wall core or cuttings of carbonate and sulphate minerals.
Produced water analysis: isotope compositions used to determine the geological origin of produced waters, assist in compartmentalisation studies, and interpret changes in water chemistry over the lifetime of production.
Sm-Nd Isotope Stratigraphy: zoning and correlation of biostratigraphically barren clastic sequences using ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios and provenance age calculations.
Send us your sample
We work with a wide range of materials: rocks, waters, biological samples, soils, foods, gases, chemical products and more. Not sure if your sample type is suitable? Just get in touch and we’ll advise.
We analyse using the right technique
Our team selects the appropriate instrument and method for your sample and question IRMS for light stable isotopes, TIMS for heavy isotopes requiring very high precision.
You receive a clear report
You Receive a clear report – We provide clear and concise reports detailing the methods used and your data. We are also happy to discuss your reports with you.
FAQs
Isotope analysis measures the ratios of different isotopes within a sample to understand environmental processes and chemical pathways. James Hutton Institute Scientific Services uses isotope analytical techniques to investigate topics such as nutrient cycling, water movement and ecosystem interactions.
Isotopes provide unique signatures that can help identify sources of nutrients, pollutants or water within environmental systems. By analysing these signatures, James Hutton Institute Scientific Services helps researchers uncover complex environmental relationships and processes.
