Friday, 24 April, 2026
Blocks
Blocks are the assemblable units of content within the Reports module. IsoFind includes approximately seventy built-in blocks, organized into thirteen thematic categories. Each block is labeled by its FAIH nature, license level, and estimated page count in the final report. This page provides an overview of the catalog, presents the categories, and explains how to navigate this extensive library efficiently.
Block Structure
Every block shares a common metadata structure, allowing for consistent handling within the interface and during exports.
| Metadata | Role |
|---|---|
| Technical Identifier | Unique name used by the engine (e.g., sample_inventory) |
| Label (FR & EN) | Human-readable name in the interface based on the user's language |
| Short Description | A single line summarizing the block's content |
| Category | Thematic classification (header, samples, methods, geochem, etc.) |
| FAIH Nature | F, A, I, H, or "none" for structural blocks |
| Estimated Pages | Average space occupied in the final PDF report, ranging from 1 to 3 pages |
| Required License | research, research+, or pro |
| Expert Flag | Indicates if the block requires an informed review to be correctly interpreted |
The Thirteen Block Categories
The seventy blocks are grouped into thirteen thematic categories. This organization follows the natural flow of a technical report, from project identification to conclusions.
| Category | Block Count | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Header (header) | 5 | Cover page, executive summary, context, table of contents, glossary |
| Samples (samples) | 6 | Inventory, maps, isotopic signatures, delta-delta plots, descriptive statistics |
| Methods (methods) | 4 | Analytical protocol, standards used, CRM and normalization, quality control |
| Molecules (molecules) | 5 | Pollutant inventory, regulatory compliance, isotope-molecule links, suggestions, molecular footprint |
| Geochemistry (geochem) | 7 | Elemental data, statistics, ratios, footprint, process indicators, vertical profiles, saved cross-sections |
| Results (results) | 4 | Matches, zone-specific details, multi-sample comparison, similarity matrix |
| Nexus | 8 | Workflow, identified processes, process chain, geochemical conditions, ML speciation, FFT, prediction vs. observation, temporal monitoring |
| Scientific Rigor (rigor) | 5 | Limitations, robustness index, sensitivity analysis, "answers / does not answer," scenario comparison |
| Traceability (tracing) | 5 | Audit trail, chain of custody, data integrity, project compliance, warnings |
| Conclusion | 5 | Open conclusions, recommendations, bibliography, appendices, certification |
| CSIA Simulation (simulation) | 13 | Parameters, CSIA pathway, mass balance, plume evolution, isotopic evolution, metabolite cascade, dual isotope, hydraulic field, uncertainties, attenuation prognosis, field validation, chronology, regulatory compliance prognosis |
| Redox Simulation (simulation_redox) | 2 | Simulated redox speciation, PRB barrier performance |
| CSIA Simulation (comparison) | 1 | Comparison of simulation scenarios |
Browsing the Catalog
The block selection interface offers several filtering modes to quickly find the relevant block within a catalog of this size.
| Filter | Usage |
|---|---|
| By Category | Show only blocks from a specific category (samples, nexus, simulation, etc.) |
| By FAIH Nature | Show only F, A, I, or H blocks to balance the report |
| By License | Hide blocks not available in the active license |
| By Keyword | Text search within labels and descriptions |
| Expert Only | Show only blocks marked with the expert flag |
Factual Blocks
Factual blocks document project data without interpretation. They are the most numerous and form the foundation of any report. Frequently used blocks include sample inventory, isotopic signatures, geographic maps, depth profiles, elemental data, simulation parameters, and audit trail blocks. Their content is automatically generated from project tables and remains synchronized with the source data.
Analytical Blocks
Analytical blocks apply standardized calculations or methods to factual data. Elemental ratios, descriptive statistics, CRM and normalization, similarity matrices, robustness indices, mass balance, and conclusion sensitivity analysis fall into this category. They do not provide judgment but produce verifiable derived values.
Interpretative Blocks
Interpretative blocks propose readings in terms of mechanisms or conclusions. Geochemical footprints, matches, multi-sample comparisons, isotopic suggestions, simulated isotopic evolution, dual isotope plots with diagnostics, recommendations, and attenuation prognoses belong to this register. They are subject to challenge but provide the interpretative value expected from an expert report.
Honest Blocks and Scientific Rigor
Only two blocks in the catalog explicitly carry the H label: Nexus Identified Processes and the Process Chain. Their structural honesty stems from presenting multiple processes with their respective confidence levels rather than a single conclusion. The "honest" dimension is complemented by five blocks in the Scientific Rigor category (limitations, robustness index, sensitivity, answers / does not answer, scenario comparison), technically labeled A or I but dedicated to documenting what the report cannot establish.
Including at least one block from the Rigor category is recommended for all IsoFind reports, even the shortest ones. It serves as a minimum guarantee of loyalty to the reader. Built-in templates include the Limitations block by default.
Simulation Blocks
The sixteen simulation blocks (thirteen CSIA, two redox, and one comparison) pull their content from the 3D Visualization module. They include simulation input parameters, calculated fields, interpretative diagrams, and temporal prognoses. These blocks are reserved for the Pro license as they utilize the simulation engine, which is more resource-intensive.
Most simulation blocks update automatically if a simulation is rerun in the project, requiring no manual action. This feature is particularly useful for dynamic reports tracking project evolution over several months.
Traceability Blocks
Traceability blocks are the hallmark of the module for regulatory and litigation purposes. The Audit Trail documents the full history of project modifications. The Chain of Custody traces the data path from import to final result. Data Integrity presents source hashes for subsequent verification. These blocks are reserved for the Pro license as they leverage IsoFind's advanced traceability system.
Custom Blocks
Beyond the seventy built-in blocks, IsoFind allows for the creation of custom blocks to meet specific needs not covered by the standard catalog. This extensibility is detailed on the dedicated Custom Blocks page.
Learn More
- FAIH Philosophy: The framework for labeling block natures.
- Custom Blocks: Extending the catalog for your own needs.
- Templates: Pre-configured block assemblies.
- Generating a Report: Moving from selection to export.