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Soil and Landscape Science
Surface Water Hydrology
Groundwater Hydrology
Environmental Information Systems
Environmental Earth Observation
Catchment Biogeochemistry and Aquatic Ecology
Contaminant Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
Water Reuse and Environmental Process Engineering
Urban Water Systems Engineering
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![]() Isotope Analysis ServiceWelcome to the CSIRO Isotope Analysis Service, Adelaide, South Australia. The service provides stable isotope analyses for hydrological and environmental purposes. It also has a comprehensive capability for dating groundwater through the , CFC, SF6 and Noble gas laboratories and analytical facilities for 222Rn and 226Ra. The isotope laboratory has special expertise in groundwater hydrology. Established in 1984, the service now undertakes approximately 3000 analyses per year for over 100 customers, 20% of which are based outside Australia. The major strengths of this service are:
Stable isotopesDeuterium (d2H), Oxygen-18 (d 18O) and Carbon-13(d 13C) Deuterium and oxygen-18 compositions of water samples provide a useful tool for investigating hydrological processes in surface and groundwater systems. In groundwater, the 2H and 18O signature gives an indication of the climatic conditions under which recharge took place. In surface water/catchment studies, stable isotopes have been used to estimate retention times and the hydrologic response of catchments to rainfall. The Service also supports research work in which stable isotopes are used to identify the different sources of water taken up by plants. d13C for carbonate material may indicate whether it is of marine or terrestrial origin while d13C for dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), when used with 14C analysis, provides a methodology to correct groundwater ages for water-rock interaction. Please see the Information Sheet for sample collection and information for d2H and d18O analysis. Carbon datingEstablished in 1976 primarily for dating water samples, the laboratory began commercial carbon dating services in 1984. An older benzene-based system was replaced by a procedure involving the direct absorption of CO2 into Carbosorb for counting via a low level Quantulus Liquid Scintillation Counter (DA). This procedure proved to be a more reliable, cost effective alternative to benzene synthesis. In the late 1990s, carbon-14 analysis was also offered using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS). For a while, AMS analysis was considerably more expensive than the DA method and hence used mainly when there was limited amount of carbon available for analysis. However, over the years, the price differential between the two methods decreased and the DA line was officially closed in 2011. Dissolved inorganic carbon from water samples requiring carbon-14 analysis are now precipitated and converted to CO2 at the CLW laboratory and the CO2 sent to the Australian National University in Canberra for AMS analysis. A d13C analysis for each sample is provided free of charge with each carbon-14 analysis. With extensive experience in radiocarbon analysis of groundwater samples from regional aquifers throughout Australia, the IAS is now the principal provider of this service in Australia and a major provider for the Asian-Pacific region. Please see the Information Sheet for sample collection and information for AMS 14C analysis. Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) analysisThe presence of man-made CFCs and SF6 in the atmosphere for the last 50 years means that these compounds are now in groundwater in quantities that largely reflect the presence and proportions of recent recharge waters. Measurement of CFC-11 and CFC-12 allows groundwater ages to be determined since the mid 1960s with a precision of approximately three years. However, since the 1990s, atmospheric CFC11 and CFC12 concentrations have levelled off and more recently have started to decrease. This has meant that it is difficult to obtain an accurate CFC groundwater age using CFC concentrations for groundwater that recharged within the last decade or so. Atmospheric SF6concentrations however, continue to rise and hence are not subject to this problem. The specialised nature of sample collection for CFC and SF6analysis means that this service requires special sampling equipment/bottles and hence prior arrangements need to be made with clients prior to sampling. Please see the Information Sheet for sample collection and information for CFC analysis. For SF6, the laboratory follows the sampling protocol of the USGS [external link]. 222Rn and 226Ra222Rn and 226Ra form part of the decay chain for uranium bearing minerals. They are often found in higher concentrations in groundwater than in surface water because the groundwater usually has more contact with soil than the surface water. By utilising this, 222Rn and 226Ra are often used to identify areas of input of groundwater into streams and rivers. Determination of dissolved 222Rn and 226Ra in groundwater is reasonably simple, requiring only 14 ml water samples. The present detection limit, based on two standard deviations from background is 0.180 Becquerels per litre (1 Becquerel = 1 dist per sec). This method of radon analysis is called the Direct Method. In 2006, staff at CLW developed a quick and easy method (PET method) for measurement of 222Rn and 226Ra for samples having much lower concentrations. The limit of detection, based on two standard deviations above background for the PET and Direct methods is ~5 mBq/L for the sample count time usually employed at CLW (200 minutes). The PET method has allowed much more accurate measurements of 222Rn and 226Ra concentrations in surface water samples and is used often in groundwater surface water interaction studies. Please see the Information Sheet for sample collection and information for 222Rn and 226Ra analysis. Service specificationsFacilities
Average turnaround
Precision and sensitivityThe Service can detect isotope concentrations to the following level of precision:
Sample requirementsProspective clients should note the following minimum amounts of sample material required by the laboratory for analysis. If it is not possible to collect enough material for analysis, please contact the laboratory prior to sampling to discuss alternative options. In any case, direct contact with the laboratory before submitting samples is essential to ensure appropriate procedure for sample collection and treatment. Please do NOT add Mecuric Chloride to water when collecting samples as this causes problems with some analyses.
* The amount of water required to provide sufficient carbon (as DIC) for 14C analysis is primarily a function of the pH and [HCO-3] of the water sample. Please ask laboratory staff to send an Information Sheet prior to sampling. Price listPrintable price list also available (PDF, 15 kB)
Plant and Soil Water
Soil Physical Chemical Analysis
*samples collected in triplicate in bottles supplied by CLW All prices are in Australian dollars. Prices do not include GST. Please contact the laboratory if submitting samples from outside Australia in order to make arrangements for quarantine inspection. Please contact Fred Leaney or Megan LeFournour for further information. StaffMr Fred Leaney Principal Research Scientist, general isotopic
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Copyright | Legal Notice and Disclaimer | Privacy Statement | Website Information Last updated: 9 May, 2012 |
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