Stable light isotope analyses at University of Cape Town (UCT)
For African and international researchers
The Stable Light Isotope Laboratory at UCT, one of only a few on the African continent, provides state-of-the-art and routine stable light isotope analyses for users from the South African and international research community.
State of the art facilities
The UCT stabel light isotopes laboratory is located within the Archaeology Department. We have three light isotope ratio mass spectrometers (IRMS), a Delta Plus XP and two Delta V instruments interfaced with peripherals such as elemental analysers and gas benches. We are equipped to measure carbon, nitrogen and soon sulphur isotopes in organic materials, and carbon and oxygen in carbonate and air/breath samples. In addition, our lab has recently acquired a tunable infrared laser direct absorption spectrometer (TILDAS) for high precision measurements of CO₂ isotopologues. The laboratory is equipped with a full complement of sample preparation facilities, including microbalances, centrifuges, and freeze-dryers.
Multi-disciplinary research
The UCT Stable Light Isotope Laboratory, one of only a few on the African continent, provides state-of-the-art and routine stable light isotope analyses for users from the University of Cape Town, the South African research community, and abroad. Stable isotopes are widely used as tracers in the earth and life sciences; some of the many applications include tracking the pathways of nutrients in foodwebs, monitoring source inputs to environmental reservoirs (e.g. fossil fuels to atmospheric CO₂, recharge of groundwater), understanding the origins of ore deposits and investigating the origins and landscape-scale mobility of humans or endangered wildlife. Our state-of-the-art equipment is maintained by highly skilled scientists, who are at hand to help guide your analyses.
Short course:
Introduction to stable isotopes
Explore the theory and principles of stable light isotope research and its applications in the earth and life sciences with our 10-day short course.
Contact us
Stable Light Isotope Lab
Archaeology Department
University of Cape Town
Beattie Building
Rooms 3.23 and 3.24
Dr Julie Luyt
Research Officer
julie.luyt@uct.ac.za