Compound Specific Isotope Analysis
(CSIA)
High-precision molecular-level isotope measurements for environmental assessment, forensics, and remediation.
What is CSIA?
IT² offers a range of specialized analytical services that complement its isotope programs, extending support across environmental, industrial, and commercial sectors. Each service is designed to provide scientifically rigorous data that supports traceability, quality assurance, and process optimization.
Benefits of CSIA
Source Identification
Accurately distinguish single versus multiple contamination sources.
Environmental Forensics
vAssess degradation pathways and natural attenuation processes.
Legal & Forensic Support
Deliver defensible isotopic evidence for regulatory and legal use.
Remediation Decisions
Enable targeted, cost-effective remediation based on true mass reduction.
Site Assessment and Environmental Remediation
CSIA supports informed decision-making throughout every stage of site investigation and remediation.
- During early site characterization, CSIA—combined with contaminant concentration data—can help answer key questions such as:
- Is natural attenuation or biodegradation occurring?
- Which areas of the site show evidence of biological or abiotic degradation?
- Under what conditions, and to what extent, will natural processes break down the contaminant of concern?
- What degradation pathways are present, and what by-products may form? Are any of these by-products contaminants themselves?
- Are multiple sources contributing to the contamination?
2. During remedy selection, CSIA can help determine:
- Whether monitored natural attenuation (MNA) is a viable option within reasonable timeframes
- How much additional remediation is required considering any natural attenuation already occurring
- Whether observed concentration changes are due to true mass reduction, or simply dilution or physical processes (e.g., sorption, diffusion)
- What specific degradation pathways affect the contaminant of interest
3. During long-term monitoring, CSIA helps site managers assess:
- Is the selected remediation strategy effectively reducing contaminant mass?
- Where is remediation most successful across the site?
- Are further remediation actions needed to achieve cleanup goals?
Environmental Forensics
CSIA enables precise source identification and contaminant fingerprinting at complex sites. Its compound-level analysis delivers higher resolution and reliability than conventional isotope methods.
Source Identification and Contaminant Fingerprinting
CSIA is a highly effective tool in environmental forensics and litigation, especially when source identification or contaminant “fingerprinting” is required. It allows investigators to distinguish between multiple contamination sources or releases, even at complex sites with overlapping plumes.
Enhanced Resolution Beyond Traditional Isotope Methods
While traditional isotope analysis relies on differences in isotopic values between source materials, its accuracy can be limited by analytical uncertainty and by biotic or abiotic processes along the flow path. CSIA significantly enhances source discrimination by analyzing isotope signatures at the compound level, adding new dimensions that improve sensitivity and resolution.