The Center for Applied Isotope Studies Laboratory for Environmental Analysis (LEA) provides high quality analyses of organic or inorganic environmental samples and contaminants, ions and ion speciation. We also provide a variety of soil characterization and analyses to university and industry researchers.

Organic Residue Analysis for Archaeology 

Organic residue analysis supports archaeological investigations by identifying preserved biomolecules in ancient materials. Lipids and other stable organic compounds can survive in ceramics, sediments, and artifacts, offering insights into past diets, subsistence strategies, and cultural practices. Using GC-MS and LC-MS, we collaborate with researchers to develop custom methods to analyze archaeological samples for plant oils, animal fats, waxes, resins, sterols, and combustion byproducts to reconstruct organic use-histories and environmental interactions.