New PlasmaLab boosts Arctic (bio)geochemistry research in Tromsø

A cutting-edge new geochemistry laboratory, PlasmaLab, is set to transform how researchers in Tromsø study land, ocean and climate dynamics in the polar regions and beyond. 

Led by iC3 researcher Mohamed Ezat, the lab will provide state-of-the-art tools to track the movement of elements and isotopes through ice, ocean, and sediments. With its advanced capabilities, PlasmaLab will help answer key questions about past and future climate, ecosystem changes, and the sustainable use of Arctic resources.

PlasmaLab will become the third laboratory available to iC3 researchers, complementing the existing POLAR Magic lab and Geology Laboratory.

.

. 

A major investment in Arctic science

With 2.4 million Euros in funding, PlasmaLab will unfold over three years, with the first analyses expected to start in 2026. 

The lab will enable iC3 and other researchers to perform complex chemical analyses in-house, reducing reliance on external facilities. Mohamed explains:

"For years, we have mostly depended on external analytical facilities for geochemical analyses. PlasmaLab will change that, allowing us to tackle longstanding questions directly here at iC3 and the university’s Department of Geosciences.” 

“PlasmaLab will also solidify and further increase our national and international collaborations. I am just very happy and excited about the opportunity." 

Mohamed highlights one exciting application:

"We will be able to trace the sources and fate of nutrients and toxins entering the ocean. This is crucial for understanding primary productivity, carbon dioxide exchanges between the ocean and atmosphere, and broader climate and ecosystem impacts."

 .

Revealing the Arctic’s climate history 

PlasmaLab will help scientists to unlock geological records of past ocean and climate conditions, for example by analysing marine and terrestrial sediments.

By studying the chemical signatures of these materials, researchers can uncover how ocean circulation, carbon cycles, and Arctic ecosystems have changed over thousands to millions of years.

“This provides a crucial long-term context for ongoing and projected climate and ecosystem changes”, Mohamed says.

 .

Advanced technology for diverse applications

The lab will be equipped with cutting-edge instruments, including high-precision mass spectrometers, ion chromatograph and laser ablation systems. 

These will allow scientists to conduct geochemical fingerprinting and analyse environmental pollutants.

Mohamed notes:

"PlasmaLab’s tools can potentially be applied far beyond the earth and climate sciences. For example, we are already in discussions with some bioscience and archaeology research groups."

. 

A boost for ECRs and collaboration 

PlasmaLab will offer advanced training opportunities for future research leaders and entrepreneurs to improve their capacity to tackle the many problems that are facing humanity today.

The lab’s findings will contribute to evidence-based decision-making on Arctic climate and environmental policies. Moreover, by developing new analytical techniques, it will support industries working towards sustainable solutions in the High North. 

The lab is expected to open its doors in 2026, with full capabilities operational by 2028.

 .

Call for postdoctoral research fellows

Project leader Mohamed Ezat welcomes enquiries from researchers who want to join his team as an MSCA postdoctoral fellow.

.

PlasmaLab technical details

PlasmaLab will consist of the following nested suite of sample preparation and analytical facilities: 

.

A Triple Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (TQ-ICP-MS) for high performance of (ultra-)trace element analyses in solution samples. This will be equipped with interface kits so it can be coupled with a laser ablation and ion/gas chromatography systems to allow analyses in solid samples or chemical speciation, respectively. It will also have a single nanoparticle application module for acquisition and analysis of nanoparticles as well as MS/MS configuration to allow measuring interesting but challenging elements, such as S, AS and P.

 .

An Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for high-throughput elemental analysis in solution. This is a simple, easily-tuned and cheaply-operated instrument, and will be used for simpler trace element analysis applications/matrices – and for some applications, subsamples will be analyzed/screened first on an ICP-OES before analysis on the TQ-ICP-MS. This will significantly increase the efficiency of the facility operation.

 .

A Multi-Collector-ICP-MS for ultra-high-precision high-sensitivity isotope ratio measurements. This can measure in solution, or solid samples when coupled to a laser ablation system. It will be optimized for stable isotope fingerprinting of traditional  and non-traditional  isotopes in environmental, geological (and potentially biological) matrices.

 .

A Laser Ablation system with a split stream to allow a simultaneous trace element and/or isotope ratio analysis in solid samples when coupled to the TQ-ICP-MS and/or MC-ICP-MS, respectively. We aim it will also be optimized to have a cryo-holder with a large format  chamber to allow e.g., high precision 2D chemical mapping of ice cores.

 .

Ion and Gas Chromatographs for ionic speciation analysis by interfacing with ICP-MS systems (e.g., concentrations of As, Hg and Cr species in contaminated waters, linked to environmental applications), and the speciation of volatile organic and organometallic compounds.

 .

Further development of existing clean rooms to be suitable for trace element and boron isotope analyses and the preparation lines for various analyses.

 .

Mohamed Ezat specialises in paleoceanography and isotope geochemistry. His research focuses on past climate variability and ocean circulation (ORCID here). He is the assistant lead of the iC3 research unit investigating how past changes in ice sheets affect the global carbon cycle and marine ecosystems, the PI of the ARCLIM project, and an Associate Professor at the  Department of Geosciences at iC3’s host institution, Tromsø university.

PlasmaLab will be run in collaboration with the new Into The Blue (i2B) project.