Focus on stable isotopes

The first research on stable isotopes at the University of Bayreuth dates back to 1987. Since then, the analytical capacities and application possibilities at the UBT have grown steadily. With the establishment of the Central Laboratory for Isotope Biogeochemistry (IBG) in 2005, the BayCEER broke new ground early on for this instrument-intensive research. In the course of the successful application to the DFG for funding as a Core Facility, which was led by Prof. Johanna Pausch (Junior Professorship of Agroecology), it became clear that 13 chairs at the University of Bayreuth already rely on stable isotopes in their research.

The funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) emphasises that, based on the previous achievements of Prof. Dr. Gerhard Gebauer (retired since the end of September) as head of the IBG, the University of Bayreuth can already draw on an impressive and Germany-wide excellent foundation in the field of research into ecologically relevant issues with the help of stable isotopes. "A great advantage of the CenSI is that we now have the opportunity to bundle the competences that already exist at the University of Bayreuth and to further expand and diversify the highly specific analytics and make them available to a broad user group within, but also outside of, the UBT," explains Dr. Alexander Frank, laboratory manager of the BayCenSI. The BayCenSI offers advice on planning, evaluation and interpretation, as well as a broad spectrum of stable isotope analysis, both within the university and beyond.

In addition to these services, BayCenSI is also involved in teaching and public relations and, of course, in method development. Examples include the Master's module Isotope Biogeochemistry, which is offered in the Master's in Geoecology, Molecular Ecology and others. "We also want to introduce future STEM students to the possibilities of stable isotope research," Frank tells us, "to this end, we are working on a children's programme where, with the help of pet hair or water samples that they bring along themselves, they can work on questions about the diet of pets or even the origin of water in a way that is appropriate for children."

Independent research projects are also carried out at BayCenSI. As part of a DFG project and with the help of stable oxygen isotopes, Dr. Alexander Frank is researching the effects of the precipitation-induced increase in organic material in clear lakes on their oxygen production by the phytoplankton in them.

Meanwhile, further projects are underway at BayCenSI. Among other things, a three-day conference of the German Society for Stable Isotopes and a summer school (BaySISS) are planned for the coming year.