Laser Spectrometer for stable isotope analysis of Hydrogen and Oxygen

• Subject Area: Water Research
• Term: Funded in 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 574755610

The Earth has exceeded six of nine planetary boundaries. Among these, global biogeochemical cycles are disrupted, land system change is beyond the safe operating space, and we are experiencing a radical shift in the global water cycle. Addressing these environmental challenges requires innovative Earth System Science and cutting-edge observational tools. The acquisition of the adsorption-based spectroscopic analyser system for the isotopologues of the water molecule is critical in addressing these challenges at the University of Bonn (UoB) and within the Transdisciplinary Research Area “Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Futures” (TRA6). Placed at the Institute of Geography and anchored as a satellite instrument of the Bonn Technology Campus, this state-of-the-art instrumentation will play a key role in addressing fundamental global challenges in the earth and environmental sciences. What makes the instrument particularly valuable is its capacity to provide rapid, high-precision, and cost-efficient analysis with minimal sample volume, making it ideal for both intensive field campaigns and lab-based studies. This unique capability opens up new avenues for interdisciplinary research and fills a critical analytical gap at UoB. The system will directly benefit several research groups (Hydrology, Ecohydrology & Water Resources Management, Environmental Geology, and Sustainable Crop Production), and strengthen Earth System Science across the university and contribute to educating and training the next generation of experts. Key application areas include: Catchment hydrology, Hydrological modelling, Plant ecohydrology, Landscape ecology, Water resource management, Micrometeorology and (Paleo)limnology. The analysis system is designed to measure both liquid water and water vapour, featuring a multiplexer for simultaneous sample analysis and high-throughput capabilities. It supports various pre-processing techniques, including water extraction from frozen soil and plant samples, and water-vapour equilibration. With rapid measurements, the system can process up to 50 samples daily. Additionally, it features capabilities for eliminating and correcting organic contamination, ensuring accurate results. The small measurement chamber (approximately 35 ml) minimizes memory effects, facilitates small-volume sample analysis, and ensures robustness in a multi-user environment. The instrument will be bookable university-wide. The successful implementation of this instrument will enhance the UoB’s research capabilities and contribute to the advancement of Earth System Sciences by addressing fundamental and applied research questions and realising of sustainable solutions for managing natural resources and landscapes. This will furthermore foster a productive and dynamic research environment for both students and faculty and strongly link to initiatives such as the TRA6.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Laserspektrometer zur Analyse der stabilen Isotope von Wasserstoff und Sauerstoff
• Instrumentation Group: 1520 Meßgeräte für Gase (O2, CO2)
• Applicant Institution: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
• Leader: Professor Dr. Julian Klaus