The Clumped Isotope Laboratory specialises in the application of clumped isotope thermometry to reconstruct the formation temperatures of carbonate minerals and unravel fluid histories in geological systems. In addition to carbonate analysis, the group employs high-resolution mass spectrometry to investigate clumping in atmospheric gases—advancing our understanding of atmospheric processes, climate dynamics, and the global carbon cycle. This work supports research across Earth system science, energy geoscience, and environmental change.
Methodology
In our laboratory, we focus on clumped isotopes in methane, carbonate minerals and carbon dioxide: we measure the abundance of molecules bearing several heavy isotopes, which can be used to investigate questions from geochemistry to atmospheric chemistry and biology. Common applications are the determination of formation temperatures for carbonate minerals and distinguishing thermogenic from microbial methane.
Techniques
TFS MAT 253
carbonate clumped isotope measurement
TFS MAT ULTRA HR-IRMS
high resolution methane clumped isotope measurement
triple O isotope composition in CO2
He-cooled Cryostat
separation of CH4 from other gaseous species
Dr Matthieu Clog
Lecturer
Alex McDonald
Technician
