Isotope-Chemistry (IC) unit

The Isotope-Chemistry (IC) unit brings together a wide range of advanced techniques in biochemical, isotopic, and mineral chemical analysis, enabling high-resolution chemical characterization of biological materials from the molecular to the macroscopic scale.

It relies on state-of-the-art equipment for isotopic mass spectrometry and laser spectroscopy (EA/GA-IRMS, LC/GC-IRMS, PYR-IRMS, IRIS), biochemistry (spectrofluorometry, ion chromatography), and mineral chemistry (LA-ICP-MS, ICP-OES). Silvatech also offers expertise and facilities for sample preparation and extraction (cryoextraction, organic extraction and derivatization, mineralization), tailored to the diversity of samples originating from forest, grassland, and aquatic ecosystems.

Through the complementary use of these methods, the IC cluster enables the tracing of element dynamics (C, N, water, nutrients) within ecosystems, providing insights into resource-use efficiency by organisms, soil fertility and nutrient bioavailability, and the physiological status of organisms in the context of global change. 

This cluster is supported by the technical workshops for preparation and design integrated within SILVATECH, ensuring comprehensive sample management.