Dr Laura Hepburn

I manage the High Temperature Stable Isotopes Laboratory for NEIF at the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC). I design and use geochemical, stable isotope, and state-of-the-art synchrotron techniques to unpick the fine-scale processes that link major nutrient cycles across the ocean, Earth, and space sciences. Building on a background in marine biogeochemistry and deep ocean conservation, my interdisciplinary research focuses on the essential role of iron in the environment; specifically, how ‘bio-reactive’ iron nanoparticles control long-term carbon storage in terrestrial soils and marine sediments, under future climate scenarios.

The laboratory performs a diverse suite of isotopic analyses (δ¹⁸O, δ²H, δ³⁴S, and δ¹³C) for tracing source and formation processes in water, mineral, or whole rock specimens. Eligible UK research institutions can access all 1-2-1 training and analytical services via peer-reviewed application to the Natural Environment Research Council’s National Environmental Isotope Facility (www.isotopesuk.org/what-is-neif.html).