Recent News

Lead (Pb) has four stable isotopes (204Pb, 206Pb, 207Pb and 208Pb) which are commonly used in archaeological studies, particularly in the case of connecting metal artifacts to their relevant geological or mine sources.

Caves are natural intact cavities found in many different landscapes which have been accessible to humans and animals for millions of years.

Caves – or rock shelters – have been studied by archaeologists for the past two centuries, with specific focus on the investigation of prehistoric cave paintings, ceremonial use and other evidence of occupation.

Lead is a naturally occurring element found within the earth’s crust as well as in bodies of water, soil and overlaying plants. The rise and fall of lead use through space and time makes the reconstruction of lead isotopes very interesting for research into past civilizations and present environmental studies.

Uranium-Thorium (U-Th) dating is a radioactive method to date a variety of carbonate samples, including corals, cave deposits, cave artwork, shells, foraminifera and bone.

Maps demonstrating variability in specific isotopes across a landscape have been produced in varying spatial resolutions (local, regional, global) – known as isoscapes.

In petroleum exploration, it is vital to be able to interpret and date key occurrences within petroleum systems – including petroleum generation and alteration (post-generation). For example, identifying and dating the occurrence of certain authigenic minerals (e.g. carbonate cements) can provide information on when and where oil is likely to accumulate to aid in targeting exploration.

Lead isotopes (Pb) are known to be a very toxic non-essential element, with origins within the earth’s crust. Through anthropogenic activities, lead becomes altered and released into the atmosphere, where it acts as a trace aerosol pollutant.

Isobar Science and Beta Analytic continue to support the Society of American Archaeology (SAA) by joining its annual meeting as an exhibitor.

A study researchering the dynamics of carbonate stratigraphy and vulnerability of sea life to climate change used a combination of radiocarbon and U-Th dating of corals and cemented sediments to date an incipient submarine landslide

Volcanic eruptions are significant geological events with far reaching implications. The analysis of isotopes in various sample types can provide information on the timing and magnitude of past volcanic eruptions.

Boron isotopes are predominately made up of two naturally occurring stable isotopes – 10B and 11B. In the biosphere, boron represents a trace element integrated into organisms, allowing one to reconstruct variability in δ11B over time.

Sediments used for climate and environmental reconstructions come in many different forms (including lacustrine, marine, peat, terrestrial and aeolian deposits) and can be characterized by their grain size, shape, sedimentary facies, chemical and biological composition and accumulation/sedimentation rate.

Isobar Science and Beta Analytic’s bones webinar focuses on C-14 and U-Th methods for bone samples. Topics include optimal sample types, common issues, and how to prepare bone samples for isotopic analysis.

Paleoclimate archives are generally dated using two main methods: radiocarbon and uranium-thorium dating. 14C dating tends to be more accurate, however, it can only be used on samples that are less than around 50,000 years old. Whereas U-Th dating can be used for the last 500,000 years.

Isobar Science and Beta Analytic’s paleclimatology webinar focuses on the importance of C-14 and U-Th dating in paleoclimatology, and how archives can be used to reconstruct past climate.

The most optimal samples for accurate U-Th dating are those that exist in closed systems, including speleothems and corals. In some cases, bones and lake sediments may also be used, but the state of your samples should be carefully considered prior to planning your analysis and interpreting U-Th dating results.

View our on-demand webinar “Geochemical Fingerprinting: Application of Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb Isotope Systematics in Earth Science.” Topics include: how different processes control the distribution of elements in the earth system; measuring Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb and reporting conventions; application of Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb systematics in studying the governing processes in the earth system; research design and sampling strategies; and what to expect from your lab when measuring Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopes.

Continental weathering is an important part of the global carbon cycle. The measurements of strontium and neodymium isotopes have been especially important in this research domain.

Using isotopic analysis of skeletal remains and forensic evidence, one can reconstruct human profiles, analyse the environmental conditions antemortem and estimate the time of death. Other forensics-related investigations using isotope geochemistry include the analysis of trace evidence materials as well as provenancing illegal wildlife, bullets, narcotics, and other forensic evidence.

Register here to view Isobar Science’s free webinar on Lead Isotopes and Applications.
Live Webinar: March 24, 2021
Speakers: Dr. Maren Pauly and Dr. Arash Sharifi

View Isobar’s Boron Isotopes free webinar on-demand.
Live Webinar: November 12, 2020
Speaker: Sean Ahearn, Project Manager for Water Services at Beta Analytic