अंतरिक्ष विभाग (Department of Space) | भारत सरकार (Government of India)
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Geosciences Division Labs

Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
An Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS) is a state-of-the-art instrument used to measure extremely rare isotopes such as 14C, 10Be, and 26Al with exceptional precision. These isotopes are widely used for chronology and surface-exposure dating, as well as tracers for understanding various Earth processes.
Multiple Applications in fields like:
• Glaciology
• Planetary Sciences
• Archeology
• Paleoclimatology
• Oceanography
• Hydrology other areas involving the applications of Radioisotopes


First Results of the AMS published as lead article in the Current Science Journal(Feb, 2019)



Graphitisaition Laboratory
This facility is used to prepare high-purity graphite samples for Radiocarbon measurements in the AMS.

The Automated Graphitization Equipment is coupled with two devices. 


1. Carbonate Handling System (for inorganic samples)

2. Elemental Analyser (for organic samples)





Stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
The Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometer, along with peripherals such as Kiel Carbonate Device, Elemental Analyser, Gasbench and Denitrification System, is used to measure stable isotope ratios in all possible terrestrial and oceanic materials, including carbonates, organic matter, soils, sediments, water. Non-conventional isotopes, such as triple oxygen and clumped isotopes, are also measured.

The Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometer is coupled with two systems


1. Flash CN Analyser (for measuring C,N,S,H) in samples like sediments and other organic samples

2. Gas Bench for measurement of statble isotope ratios in carbonate and water samples. 







Aerosol Chemistry Laboratory
To investigate aerosol chemistry and characteristics through campaign-based offline and online measurements across India and nearby aquatic systems. Since aerosols influence atmospheric chemistry, air quality, climate, aquatic systems, and human health, and are continuously modified by atmospheric processes, understanding their composition is essential for identifying sources and assessing their impacts.

Atmospheric aerosols affect atmospheric chemistry, air quality, aquatic biogeochemistry, climate, and human health. Atmospheric processes can modify the size, surface properties, and optical properties of aerosols. Studying aerosols composition is inevitable to understand their sources, processes, and also in assessing any of the aerosol effects.


  • High Resolution - Time of Flight - Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS)
  • Particle-into-Liquid Sampler (PILS)
  • Portable UV-Visible Spectrometer with liquid waveguide capillary cell (LWCC)
  • Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analyzer
  • Ambient Ion Monitor coupled to Ion Chromatography (AIM-IC)
  • Aethalometer
  • High and low volume Air Samplers
  • Ion Chromatograph (IC)
  • Thermo-Optical EC-OC Analyzer
  • Quadruple Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (Q-ICP-MS)
  • Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometers (ICP-AES)
  • Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS)
  • Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS)

We pioneered and leading many new research topics in the field of atmospheric science in India, as visible under the publication lists of people working in this field, e.g.,

  • We initiated and established the study on ‘Aerosol Oxidative Potential’ in India
  • We did unique measurements of brown carbon to understand the sources and processes affecting their abundances and characteristics
  • We did multi-isotope (δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S) investigation of aerosols provides newer insights into complex aerosol chemistry
  • We studied the composition of aerosols from  Upper Troposphere Lower Stratosphere (UTLS) region through balloon-borne measurements

Experimental skills are the uniqueness of this group. We assembled a system (PILS-LWCC-TOC) for Brown Carbon measurements. We established the study on ‘Aerosol Oxidative Potential’ in India.
Sorter Flow cytometer Laboratory
This facility is used to analyze marine microbial phytoplankton and bacterial cells.

The sorter flow cytometer, a fluorescence-activated cell-sorting system, separates a mixed microbial community into up to four containers, one cell at a time, based on each cell’s unique light-scattering and fluorescence properties. This facility is used to analyze marine microbial phytoplankton and bacterial cells with high precision.



We analyzed the sea water samples of Northern Indian Ocean (Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal). Mainly targeted organisms are Picophytoplankton group which are Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus and Picoeukaryotes. Also, we can focus on nanoplankton, microplakton and heterotrophic bacteria.