South Pacific Isotope Centre (SPICe Lab)

Using isotopes and elements as tracers to solve environmental, agricultural and resource challenges.

SPICe Lab is an emerging geochemistry centre in southern Chile focused on using isotopes, trace elements and micro-scale chemical data to support environmental, agricultural and resource-related decision making.

We help researchers, companies and institutions interpret geochemical signals, design sampling strategies, and connect measurements with real-world processes in soils, waters, carbonates and mineral systems.

See what we offer

What we can support right now

While SPICe Lab’s own analytical facilities are in development, we already provide consulting, data interpretation and project design, and work with a network of international laboratories when high-precision measurements are required. Current services include:

Geochemical consulting for research groups, companies and public agencies.
Interpretation of isotopic and elemental data from waters, soils, carbonates and other minerals.
Project design and sampling strategy for environmental, agricultural and resource projects.
Review and interpretation of laboratory reports (e.g. isotope ratios, trace elements, rare earth elements).
Selection of analytical techniques and guidance on where to run samples internationally.
Data analysis, visualisation and reporting to turn measurements into usable insight.
Laser ablation and micro-analysis consulting (method selection, QA/QC, interpretation).

Key focus areas

SPICe Lab is being designed around the following areas of isotope and trace-element geochemistry:

Critical materials (Li, REEs, strategic minerals) – geochemical fingerprinting, exploration support and process monitoring in brines, ores and related materials.
Agriculture and soils – tracing nutrient cycles, soil–plant interactions and land-use impacts using elemental and isotopic tools.
Environmental isotopes – understanding water pathways, contamination sources and sediment or carbonate archives.
Laser ablation and micro-analysis – high-resolution elemental maps and in-situ chemistry in carbonates, mineral grains and industrial materials.
Isotope tracers – linking geochemical signals to sources, processes and environmental change.
U–Th geochronology (planned capability) – currently available through international laboratories with our support for sample selection and age interpretation.

Who we work with

SPICe Lab supports clients across research, industry and the public sector, including:

Universities and research groups.
Lithium and mineral exploration and production companies.
Agricultural producers, soil laboratories and technical advisers.
Environmental consultants and water or environmental agencies.
NGOs and public institutions concerned with climate, water and land use.

Analytical workflow at this stage

Analytical measurements are currently carried out through collaborating international laboratories. SPICe Lab assists with choosing the appropriate techniques, preparing samples, coordinating analytical runs, and interpreting and reporting results. As our own facilities come online, additional in-house capabilities will be added.

Work with us

If you need isotopic or geochemical insight for a research project, exploration program or environmental study, SPICe Lab can support you with consulting, interpretation and analytical strategy.

Let’s discuss your needs and design the right geochemical approach for your project.