Isotope Hydrology Laboratory
- GENERAL INFORMATION
The ISOTOPE HYDROLOGY LABORATORY, located in the IAEA Headquaters in Vienna, plays a substantial role in the dissemination of knowledge about state-of-the-art analytical techniques in isotope hydrology. You can contact us here. The laboratory is equipped with various analytical facilities. At present ten technicians from different countries are employed. The IHL is engaged in the analysis of stable isotope ratios of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon in water and soil materials, low-level radioactivity counting of tritium and carbon 14 ,analysis of water chemistry, and the measurement of CFC’s in water and air samples. Various sample preparation methods are available for the different scopes of investigation and the required analytical precision. These methods are continuously upgraded and improved to achieve a high level of analytical performance. Over the years, isotope hydrology laboratories in 42 Member States were installed or upgraded with the technical assistance of the IAEA. A significant contribution was made by the experts of the IAEA IHL through missions and technical know how. Special emphasis is put on the training for the staff of these laboratories. Each year scientists from IAEA Member States are trained in analytical methods and in quality assurance to enable them to operate their laboratories at high quality levels. Interlaboratory comparisons for all different types of analysis are arranged to proof the efficiency of supported laboratories. The IAEA IHL provides analytical services to Technical Cooperation projects in Member States without established national isotope laboratories through the measurement of several thousands of samples per year for about 50 different projects worldwide. The provision of reference materials for isotope hydrology labs is a further major part of the activity of the IAEA IHL. Through the establishment of internationally accepted quality assurance standards in the IAEA laboratories following the ISO 9000 guidelines, the IHL will intensify its services as a reference laboratory and will further promote the use of quality assurance schemes in laboratories working in the field of isotope hydrology.