Noble Gas Tracer Laboratory

Using high precision concentrations and isotope ratios of helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon, we can identify groundwater recharge conditions, quantify denitrification in our aquifer systems, characterise geothermal reservoirs, and monitor volcanic activity. 

We work with both research organisations and commercial clients. Our rates can be found here (PDF, 364 KB). 

Our Expertise: 

• Groundwater recharge location and temperature: Helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon concentration analysis in groundwater samples help to determine ground water recharge temperatures, which can inform on recharge location/elevation, and past climate conditions.
• Freshwater denitrification location and amount: Combined with nitrogen analysis, it can also quantify how much nitrate has been naturally removed in the subsurface. This can be done on groundwater and surface water samples.
• Volcanic activity monitoring: Helium isotope and noble gas abundance analysis in volcanic gas and water samples are indicators of magmatic activity and subsurface fluid dynamics. This is used for volcano monitoring and geothermal exploration.
• Geothermal reservoir characterisation: Noble gas concentration and isotope analysis of geothermal well gas samples help characterise reservoir structure and track changes over time, supporting smarter management of geothermal assets.

Our equipment

• Sample degassing bench  - a purpose-built vacuum line for manually extracting and cryogenically concentrating gas from water samples. Water samples collected in 3/8” copper tubes are degassed under vacuum and the sample gas is isolated onto a stainless steel sample vial using liquid nitrogen and a 0.5 mm capillary to prevent backflow and loss of sample gas. 
• Noble Gas purification system – an automated system for inletting the isolated sample gas, removing water vapor using a 2-stage cryogenic water trap (similar to the design by Stanley et al., 2009), removing reactive gases with Ti-sponge furnaces, SAES® getters, and a Pd + CuO furnace, and freezing Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe onto a computer-controlled cryotrap. Each of the noble gases can be released and inlet into the Hiden quadrupole and/or the Helix MC mass spectrometer for analysis.
• Hiden HAL 3F-PIC Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer - for measurement of noble gas (He, Ne, Ar, Xe, and Kr) concentrations in gas and water samples. This system is equipped with a pulse-counting (PIC) electron multiplier for increases sensitivity. The noble gas purification system and Hiden quadrupole mass spectrometer are primarily designed for quantifying denitrification-products (i.e., excess N₂) in groundwater systems, with the capability to measure noble gas concentrations to better than 1% analytical error. This system can also be used for many other applications, including analysis of geothermal fluids, seawater, pore-water, etc. 
• Helix MC multicollector Noble Gas Mass Spectrometer – for high-precision isotope ratio measurements of noble gas (He, Ne, Ar, Xe, and Kr). The Helix MC+ is a magnetic sector mass spectrometer with high mass-resolution so that measurements can avoid isobaric molecular and double-charge interferences. Coupled with the high-sensitivity detectors, this permits highly stable and precise measurements of noble gas isotopic ratios, which are necessary to resolve small differences in natural isotope ratios caused by processes in groundwater, surface water, hydrothermal fluids and/or minerals that fractionate and/or concentrate specific isotopes naturally in these systems.

Sampling Instructions

Noble gases are generally only present at trace level concentrations in most samples. Therefore, they are quite susceptible to atmospheric contamination and require specialised sampling equipment and analytical instrumentation.

We recommend the use of clamped copper tubes for noble gas water and gas sample collection. The system can accommodate glass sampling flasks which are frequently used in volcanological and geothermal sampling. However, given the specific requirements for taking a successful noble gas sample, we recommend contacting us to discuss sample container and procedures prior to any samples being collected.