Stable isotopes as tracers - Environment

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Isotopic tracers for environmental monitoring and remediation

Identify contamination sources, understand propagation processes, and target remediation. Stable metal isotopes provide a level of discrimination unattainable by conventional methods.

Contamination sources in polluted sites and soils

In multi-source environments, elemental concentrations alone cannot discriminate between inputs. Stable isotopes differentiate pollutant sources, quantify their respective contributions, and identify those with the most critical impact on populations or the environment.

This approach is particularly effective in urban, industrial, and mining areas, where it pinpoints specific contamination sources, whether legacy or still active, to guide more targeted, cost-effective remediation.

Polluted site - isotopic tracer source identification

Propagation processes and biogeochemical transfers

Beyond source identification, stable metal isotopes reveal the biogeochemical mechanisms at work in contaminated environments: mineral adsorption, redox reactions, and transfers between dissolved and particulate phases.

By quantifying the isotopic fractionation associated with each process, we reconstruct contaminant pathways from emission to accumulation, enabling anticipation of their fate and proper sizing of remediation actions.

Biogeochemical processes - isotopic fractionation

Emerging contaminants and environmental monitoring

Stable isotopes are valuable tools for studying the fate of emerging contaminants in the environment: novel metallic compounds, nanoparticles, and industrial residues whose dynamics remain poorly understood.

We support research teams and environmental consultancies in designing tailored sampling campaigns, selecting the relevant isotopic systems, and interpreting the resulting signatures, in coordination with partner analytical platforms.

Emerging contaminants - stable isotope analysis

Available isotopic systems

Eight metallic tracers available through our partner platforms, covering the main environmental contaminants.

Cu
Copper
Zn
Zinc
Sr
Strontium
Cr
Chromium
Cd
Cadmium
Se
Selenium
Sb
Antimony
Pb
Lead

Planning an environmental assessment?

From sampling campaign design to data interpretation, we support you at every stage.