SERVICES & FACILITIES ANNUAL REPORT - FY April 2005 to March 2006
SERVICE
Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility
(LSMSF)
FUNDING
Block
AGREEMENT
SLA/contract
ESTABLISHED as S&F
Lancaster
East Kilbride
Bristol
1984
1994
1992
TERM
5 years
TYPE OF SERVICE PROVIDED:
Facility: Under the auspices of the LSMSF, NERC maintains three facility nodes for provision of organic and light stable isotope
mass spectrometry to the UK life sciences community, namely the East Kilbride node located at SUERC, the Lancaster node
located within CEH-Lancaster and the Bristol node housed within the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol. By adopting
this more integrated approach accessibility to said Facility nodes has been increased as has been the organisation between
Facilities. Whilst this move has not resulted in the physical amalgamation of the three Facilities, the ‘one-stop-shop’ exists as a
single point of contact for users, with increased efficiency and synergistic operation thus making better use of the resources
currently used in the maintenance of the mass spectrometry services offered. All three Facilities are contracted by NERC to provide
‘free-at-point-of-delivery’ support according to their respective service level agreements (SLAs) or contracts and the NERC
LSMSF steering committee oversees their operation. Each of the three nodes offers a different portfolio of analytical techniques for
which UK based researchers may apply to use through NERC Services and Facilities (S&F) by standard peer review procedure.
East Kilbride has strong associations with migration, agro-ecology and conservation studies whilst the primary remit of Lancaster
is terrestrial and fresh-water studies (including those deriving from NERC programmes). Bristol fields a wide range of projects to
which a compound specific approach is essential, e.g. palaeoclimatic reconstruction (alkenone UK37), organic matter sourcing
(biomarkers), faunal population and dietary studies (isotopic PLFA and FFA profiling) and palaeodietary reconstruction.
Analytical portfolio of the LSMSF:


Isotopically enriched water (D218O to energy expenditure studies
Natural abundance e.g. 13C/12C, 15N/14N, 18O/16O and 34S/32S analyses of bulk animal organic matter & molecular oxygen
to study food web structure, trophic status, migration patterns and element cycling
 Enriched & natural abundance analyses of bulk terrestrial organic matter e.g. 13C/12C, 15N/14N
 Enriched & natural abundance analyses of gases: e.g. 13C/12C, 15N/14N 18O/16O of CO2, CH4, N20 & N2
 Natural & near natural abundance compound specific 13C/12C, 15N/14N, D/H analyses of biochemical extracts
 Organic mass spectrometric analyses of complex mixtures of compounds e.g. volatiles, functionalised molecules etc
NB. Nodes are designated as follows: L = Lancaster, EK= East Kilbride, B = Bristol
ANNUAL TARGETS AND PROGRESS TOWARDS THEM
Lancaster node to: a) continue to provide existing accredited methodologies for customers, b) to develop existing technology to
achieve accurate/precise measurements on smaller quantities of materials and to refine trace gas CO 2 method to DIC analyses c) to
continue with staff and student training under the remit of the LSMSF. Progress has been successful for all three targets.
EK Node to: develop (i) sulphur analysis and (ii) dual hydrogen-oxygen analysis in organic materials. (i) has been very successful;
(ii) has been partially successful but requires more work.
Bristol node: successful development of compound specific D and 15N towards the goal of making them routine Facility services
SCORES AT LAST REVIEW (each out of 5)
Need
Uniqueness
5
5
CAPACITY of HOST ENTITY
FUNDED by S&F
Lancaster
East Kilbride
Bristol
58%
100%
13%
Quality of Service
5
Date of Last Review:
Quality of Science & Training
5
Staff & Status
Dr AW Stott (SSO), Mr D. Sleep (HSO), Miss H. Grant (SO)
Dr. J Newton (RA2) & Dr. R. McGill (RA1A)
Dr ID Bull (OR2; 100% University of Bristol funded) & Dr R Berstan
(RA1A)
Next
Review
(January)
2008
Average
5
Contract
Ends
(31 March)
2009
FINANCIAL DETAILS: CURRENT FY
Tital resource
Unit Cost £k
Capital
Income Full cash
allocation £k
£k
cost £k
½ day unit
Analysis
Training/Labwork Expend £k
0
0
170.21
EK
128.17
EK
0.400
n/a
n/a
0
0
113.33
L
92.9
L
0.374
n/a
n/a
30
0
84
B
83.99
n/a
0.186
0.093
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT (by year until end of current agreement)
2005-06 EK 128.17 2006-07 EK c.140.4
2007-08 EK c.147.8 2008-09 EK c.155.5
2009-10 EK n/a
L 92.87
L 95.66
L 98.53
L 101.49
L n/a
B 83.99
B c. 73.56
B c.75.77
B c.78.04
B n/a
STEERING COMMITTEE
LSMSF
Independent Members
5
Meetings per annum
2
Other S&F Overseen
0
APPLICATIONS: DISTRIBUTION OF GRADES (Current FY — 2005/06)
5
4
3
2
1

NERC Grant projects
5
Other academic
3
2
Students
1
5
1
Pilot
1
13
3
TOTAL
APPLICATIONS: DISTRIBUTION OF GRADES (per annum average previous 3 years —21002/03 – 2004/05
5
4
3
2
1

NERC Grant projects
0.11
6.67
1.33
0.33
0.00
0.00
Other Academic
0.00
2.67
0.67
0.00
0.33
0.00
Students
0.00
3.33
5.44
0.00
0.00
0.00
Pilot
0.00
0.00
0.33
0.00
0.00
0.00
TOTAL
0.11
12.67
7.78
0.33
0.33
0.00
R*/Pilot
1
2
2
Reject
1
5
R*/Pilot
Reject
0.67
1.00
2.78
0.44
4.00
0.00
0.67
0.00
0.00
0.67

R*/Pilot
PROJECTS COMPLETED (Current FY)
5
4
2
6
3
NERC Grant projects
Other Academic
Students
Pilot
3
2
1
1
6
1
1
*Combined non-Directed and Directed
PAYG
Student
NERC C/S Other
Total NERC
USER PROFILE (current FY)
Grand
Total
Infrastructure
Student
Supplement to NERC Grant *
Total NERC
50
8
29
18
USER PROFILE (per annum average previous 3 years)
Infrastructure
Grand
Student
Total
Supplement to NERC Grant *
Total NERC
65.67
16.67
32.33
19.00
USER PROFILE (current FY)
Academic
NERC RC
17
9
USER PROFILE (per annum average previous 3 years)
Academic
NERC RC
27.33
5.67
NERC RC
Other
9
14
NERC Grant*
NERC RC
Other
NERC Grant*
5.67
11.00
0.00
NERC Fellows
1
1.67
SBA
11.34
4.00
0.00
ES
3.22
Earth’s Life Support Systems
15.39
42.67
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
NERC Fellows
PhD
Commercial
1.33
29.67
0.33
OUTPUT & PERFORMANCE MEASURES (per annum average previous 3 years)
Publications (by science area & type)
SBA
ES
MS
AS
TFS
EO
Polar
Grand Total
Refereed
7.00
0.00
Commercial
4
Distribution of Projects (by science areas)
MS
AS
TFS
19.5
0
37.5
ES
1
0.00
PhD
29
OUTPUT & PERFORMANCE MEASURES (current FY)
Publications (by science area & type)
SBA
ES
MS
AS
TFS
EO
Polar
Grand Total
Refereed
6
4
12
0
25
0
0
51
35
SBA
0
*Combined non-Directed and Directed
PAYG
Student
NERC C/S Other
Total NERC
55.33
31.33
Distribution of Projects (by science areas)
MS
AS
TFS
7.18
45.46
0
Non-Ref/ Conf Proc
11
EO
0
PhD Theses
5
Polar
0
Non-Ref/ Conf Proc
PhD Theses
15.67
8.33
EO
0
Distribution of Projects (by NERC strategic priority)
Climate Change
Sustainable Economies
Underpinning Science
3.72
5.78
0
Polar
0
Specific Research
2
OVERVIEW & ACTIVITIES IN FINANCIAL YEAR (2005/06):
Node overview
East Kilbride:
Sample throughput increased to the point where we were able to use the LSMSF instrument to develop new techniques, whilst still
increasing the number and size of applications we are able to manage. Whilst the number of publications has not increased, the quality
has, resulting in a number of papers in very high impact journals (see “Highlights”). Last year we began routine sulphur isotope
measurements on organic materials with moderate success. Dual hydrogen-oxygen isotope analysis of organic materials is still under
development. We have identified several problems with the pyrolysis reactor design – these are currently being fixed by the
manufacturer.
The node manager has redesigned the node website and we continue to encourage users to post summaries of work carried out at the
Facility.
Drs Newton and McGill participated in the Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometer Users Group meeting in York in April, Dr. McGill went
to the Applied Isotope Geochemistry meeting in Prague, and Dr. Newton took some of the analytical questions regarding sulphur and
dual hydrogen-oxygen development to the Canadian Continuous Flow Workshop in London Ontario in August. Both staff are
organising the 5th International Conference on Applications of Stable Isotope Techniques to Ecological Studies to be held in Belfast
in 2006.
Lancaster:- 2005/2006 has seen another busy schedule for the node staff with a wide variety of research projects being supported. All
node instrumentation has been running at maximum capacity again with little down time; bulk 13C’s, CO2’s and N2O analyses being
predominant. All bulk EA-IRMS and CO2 trace gas methods were externally re-assessed in February 2006 and were deemed fit for
purpose to ISO:17025 accredited standards. Node staff have been trained in all current SI techniques to ensure full continuity of
service in the event of absence. The node website has been reformated into the corporate design.
(http://www.ceh.ac.uk/sections/ecp/lsmsf/.html). Technological advancements include 13C analyses of individual soil organisms (<
5g C) and DIC measurement in lake waters. The node participated in the Forensic Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry network ‘round
robin’ test in which 2 standards were measured by 24 independent laboratories worldwide for 13C and 15N. Early indications show
the results generated by LSMSF Lancaster to be comparable to the laboratories such as USGS and NIST. Staff presented for the
second year running at the National Science Week workshop and to Preston College students on the subject of SI’s in ecology. Dr
Stott gave oral presentations to the NERC chief executive and Lord May (ex chief scientific advisor to HM Government) on the
LSMSF and its contribution to NERCs strategic mission.
Bristol: The 2005-2006 year has seen a busy but stable period of activity with staff efforts split between support of successful
applicants to the Facility and the further development and refinement of new analytical techniques. As predicted, demand is steadily
increasing with the node receiving a total of 10 applications from potential users; a marked increase compared with previous years
that will no doubt make next year even busier. Compound specific D analysis has been developed to the point where it is now
reliable enough to be offered as a service (the first application for use of this techniques has just been received) although it should be
noted that the technique is inherently more complicated than more routine forms of analysis such as compound specfic 13C analysis
and as such will always be more problematic. More recently, significant headway has been made with the development of compound
specific 15N analysis which it is hoped shall be brought on-stream over the ensuing year. Additionally, Professor Evershed has now
secured funds for the purchase of an HPLC-IRMS interface which, when installed and tested, may well form part of the Bristol node’s
future portfolio of techniques. Dr Bull presented a poster at the 22 nd International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry in August.
Where possible Facility staff have also continued to further their own research activities although such activities have been limited by
the demands on personnel time.
Generic LSMSF training protocol:
One of the primary goals of the LSMSF strategy is to actively underpin Ph.D. student and postdoctoral training. During 2005/06
approximately 60% of the projects accommodated were student projects which requested visits to the node laboratories to receive
‘hands on’ training from Facility staff. Students have had little if any previous experience of ‘wet chemical’ preparative
methodologies, high precision quantitative stable isotope analyses or mass spectrometry and this was their first introduction to
vacuum-line cryogenic chemistry and/or isotope-ratio mass spectrometry or related mass spectrometric techniques. The often
intensive training they receive within the LSMSF therefore develops skills different and complementary to those required in the field
or later in their career development. The combination of laboratory analysis and data interpretation skills is considered an attractive
attribute of our 'alumni' and fulfils NERC’s responsibilities to students and fellows as part of their skill development portfolio.
LSMSF Capital
East Kilbride: no capital allocation was requested, the small purchases needed for sulphur and dual hydrogen-oxygen analysis being
purchased from the recurrent allocation.
Lancaster: An oil free compressor to provide pneumatic air to the laboratory instruments has been purchased from the recurrent
budget.
Bristol: The 2005-2006 capital allocation resulted in the Bristol node securing £30k for the purchase of turbopumps, GC injector
inlets, pyrolyser components, general ancillary instrumentation and IT equipment to maintain the smooth operation of the node and to
offset anticipated future failure of instrument parts.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS (including four most impactful outputs):
East Kilbride:
A couple of years ago there was an explosion of interest in stable isotope applications used to elucidate aspects of bird migration. The
first of these, Bearhop et al. (2005), “Assortative mating as a mechanism for rapid evolution of a migratory divide”, was published in
Science 310, 502-504 and furthermore was listed as an AAAS “Breakthrough of the Year” in their end-of-year issue themed around
the topic of “Evolution in Action”. It has also been cited by NERC’s Planet Earth as one of their top ten papers for 2005. Briefly, the
European Blackcap winters in two separate places – UK and Iberia, but reunites to breed. Discrimination of the wintering grounds via
hydrogen isotope analysis of feathers shows that breeding birds select mates from those sharing the same wintering ground. Such
assortative mating can produce a gradual differentiation between two populations, eventually leading to speciation. This project was
the original motivation behind our development of hydrogen isotope analysis of organic materials, which proved to be very useful in
understanding bird migration and has since spawned several applications to the Facility, and a couple of publications so far.
Lancaster: An exciting isotope oriented research project lead by Lancaster University and heavily supported by the LSMSF
Lancaster node showed that carbon dioxide enrichment, although causing short-term growth stimulation in a range of European tree
species, also lead to an increase in soil microbial respiration and a marked decline in sequestration of root-derived carbon in the soil.
These findings, published in Science 309, 1711-1713, indicate that, should similar processes operate in forest ecosystems, the size of
the annual terrestrial carbon sink may be substantially reduced; resulting in a positive feedback on the rate of increase in atmospheric
carbon dioxide concentration. A collaborative research project between the Universities of Sheffield, Warwick & Lancaster, CEH and
the Lancaster node resulted in a second high impact publication in Science 309 (5737). Using 13C tracers, it was possible to determine
the extent to which arbuscular mycorrhizal networks in semi-natural grasslands were disrupted by resident soil feeding invertebrates
in situ. The research highlighted the need to focus further efforts to quantifying mycorrhizosphere carbon fluxes in the field and its
contribution to food webs.
Bristol: A successful application (4) from Dr Mark Maslin of University College London utilised elemental and lipid analyses on
sediments recovered from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 942 to provide a 35 kyr record of organic matter input to Amazon Fan
sediments. Total organic carbon (TOC) and higher plant biomarker mass accumulation rates were an order of magnitude greater
during the last glacial period compared to the current interglacial due to sea-level controlled variations in Amazon River sediment
supply. Large maxima were also seen at 12 ka, which are most likely due to discharge events. Higher plant n-alkane average chain
lengths did not change throughout the record, suggesting consistency in the source vegetation type. The abundance of taraxerol
relative to other plant biomarkers increased at 12 ka, indicating increased mangrove input due to either higher mangrove
productivity or increased erosion of mangrove deposits. The mass accumulation rates (MARs) of some bacterial and eustigmatophyte
biomarkers varied closely with those of higher plant biomarkers and so seem to have a non-marine source. Long chain alkenones were
present in some of the sediments, generally in very low concentration, indicating dilution of the marine signal with terrestrial organic
matter. This work, supported by the Bristol node of LSMSF directly resulted in the following publication: Boot C. S., Ettwein V. J.,
Maslin M. A., Weyhenmeyer C. E., and Pancost R. D. (2006) A 35,000 year record of terrigenous and marine lipids in Amazon Fan
sediments. Organic Geochemistry 37, 208-219.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS/STRATEGIC FORWARD LOOK
East Kilbride: Both staff are organising the 5th International Conference on Applications of Stable Isotope Techniques to Ecological
Studies to be held in Belfast in 2006. This has and will have a great impact on promoting the work of the Facility. In the shortmedium term (depending on user interest), we aim to purchase a high-sensitivity isotope ratio mass spectrometer dedicated to sulphur
and dual hydrogen-oxygen analyses in order to cope with the diversity and strength of demand.
Lancaster: 13C and 15N analyses of bulk organic matter remain the predominant requirement of the nodes user community together
with CO2, N2 and N2O. This reporting year the node received six enquiries from external users wishing to perform 15N of NH4 &
NO3 in ground waters, DIC measurements on lake/river waters and bulk 18O analyses on leaf material to measure water
efficiency/droughting processes. The node has fine tuned its techniques for NH 4 & NO3 analyses and DIC measurements as an
immediate response to potentially assist future applicants. Currently the node does not have the high temperature EA to carry out 18O
analyses on plant material, however it is foreseeable this will be a growth area in the near future and expansion of the nodes capability
into this area will be certainly strategic in terms of the LSMSF’s techniques portfolio.
Bristol: The immediate goal over than the 2006-2007 period will be to continue the promising work currently being undertaken to
make compound specific 15N analysis a viable service that can be offered to potential users. Challenges are largely dependent upon
the compound class being analysed and achieving suitable chromatographic separation whilst avoiding deleterious downstream
effects. The development of an HPLC-IRMS system is both an exciting but challenging prospect that, once suitably developed, is
likely to attract highly specialised, cutting edge applications once the use of the technique has been demonstrated to the wider user
community.
Non-Mandatory Facility-specific OPMs: utilisation, allocation of capacity etc
See Annexe