Isotope fingerprints in the natural environment are powerful tracers and give insights to spatiotemporal processes in nature. This webinar will explore basic principles in stable isotopes and examples of how they can trace biogeochemical processes.

During the webinar, Christopher will explain how light stable isotope distributions change in the natural environment through space and time (fundamental processes referred to as fractionation and/or mixing), and how these changes in natural isotope distributions are detected using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The stable isotope systems of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, oxygen, and hydrogen will be in focus.

The journey will describe isotope variations in plant, soil, and water systems, and give an overview of fundamental isotope fractionation processes in biogeochemical cycles. This foundation will provide a framework to understand how stable isotopes can trace pollution (air and water), identify the origin of natural material, and reconstruct past environments and climate states. The webinar will then briefly touch on a wider application area in criminal forensics.

This free online event is open to everyone.

Our speaker

Christopher Brodie, Director and Principal Consultant, IsoAlba Limited
Christopher Brodie has a background in Environmental Sciences (Stirling University) and Biogeochemistry in the context of paleoenvironmental change and near-shore and lake system process using trace elements and stable isotopes (Durham University/Hong Kong University). Since his formal education, he has worked on analytical method and hardware development (Thermo Fisher ScientificTM Bremen, Germany) and in an ISO17025:2017 accredited laboratory that focused on product origin determination.

Professionally, he has designed and developed isotope ratio mass spectrometry hardware, implemented quality assurance processes, undertaken analytical method development, instrument maintenance, troubleshooting and staff training, and led multiple research and development projects. Some of his work is either published or patented. Currently he contracts with IsoAlba Limited on the measurement and application of light stable isotopes and compliance to ISO standards, performing operator and theoretical training for isotope ratio mass spectrometry and stable isotopes, undertaking installation of hardware, and providing detailed technical and analytical support.

Across his career, he has focused on the measurement and interpretation of light stable isotopes and their application in the environmental sciences, and other disciplines, such as forensics and food origin and authenticity. Christopher is a Fellow of the Institution of Environmental Sciences.