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The Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Science Labs include an initial sample preparation laboratory, a wet chemistry laboratory (extractions, fume cupboards) and a biogeochemistry instrument laboratory. The laboratories are equipped with walk in cold stores and a range of incubators, centrifuges, ovens, furnaces and sensitive balances.
The instrument and wet chemistry laboratories are equipped with several gas chromatographs (including autosampler) that allow for the measurement of trace gases (e.g. CH4 and N2O) and the monitoring of process rates in incubated samples (e.g. methanogenesis/ methane oxidation). An Ion Chromatograph (Dionex) and Total/Dissolved Organic Carbon Analyzer (Shimadzu) allow for the measurement of dissolved ions and carbon, respectively, in freshwaters.
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 The Controlled Environment Facility houses three Snijders 1750 Microclima controlled environment cabinets. These are some of the most flexible cabinets constructed by Snijders and allow for programmable lighting, temperature (down to sub zero oC), humidity levels and CO2 monitoring as well as fumigation with pollutants (e.g. O3). This is one of the few European facilities to have the capability to replicate sub-ambient CO2 levels (e.g. to simulate conditions during the Last Glacial Maximum when CO2 concentrations were half today’s level). The cabinets allow for closely controlled monitoring of model ecosystem mesocosms and are currently being used to investigate the biogeochemistry of peatland methanogenesis during the Last Glacial Maximum (for further information on this study, please contact Carl Boardman.
C.P.Boardman@open.ac.uk
For further information on our laboratory facilities, please contact our Laboratory Manager Graham Howell.
G.Howell@open.ac.uk
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Projects
Our research facilities are housed in the new Ecosystems and Geobiology Laboratory building which was funded via SRIF2 investment. Our laboratories are fully equipped to support research in Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Science and are co-located with the Geomicrobiology laboratory of Prof. Charles Cockell (click on the following link to see his research interests)