Stable Isotope and Molecular (Bio)geochemistry Research - Group

Professor Kliti Grice (K.Grice@curtin.edu.au)

The stable isotopic compositions of individual organic components of complex mixtures are determined by their genetic origins. Measuring the stable carbon and hydrogen isotopic compositions of individual components allows genetic relationships between such components to be inferred, in order to establish their biological origins and formation pathways. CAOG is applying this technique to the analysis of organic components in petroleum, natural gases, sediments, soils, groundwater and extracts from plants and other media.

The group carries out fundamental stable isotope research that is providing powerful insights into:

• Palaeoenvironmental changes, including those related to mass extinction events. Differences in stable isotope ratios of biomarkers preserved in petroleum and the sedimentary record allows palaeoenvironmental changes to be traced over short and long timescales.
• Petroleum formation - helping elucidate the source and geological age of organic matter. Stable isotope research is also aiding in determining the migration and accumulation history of petroleum in reservoirs and is becoming increasingly utilised in correlation studies.
• Biogeochemical cycling of the elements carbon and hydrogen to resolve metabolic relationships between organic compounds in living (land plants, algal, bacteria) and extinct organisms.
• Environmental forensics science. This new field involves application of high level analytical techniques to issues with legal ramifications. Stable isotope research aids in determining the source and degradation pathways of contaminants in the environment.
• Natural product chemistry such as essential oils, other forestry products, food science and forensic science. The authenticity of a natural product can often be verified by measurement of its isotopic composition.

Top-Up Scholarship available for PhD in Climate Change. Click here for more information