Organic Geochemistry Unit

The organic geochemistry unit developed since the foundation of CEREGE is specialised in the measurement of various organic compounds as indicators of environmental variables. The methodology is based on the extraction of molecules in organic solvents, followed by purification and quantification steps. The unit started with the techniques of gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole mass spectrometry before being completed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole mass spectrometry.

In addition to paleoenvironmental indicators based on molecular concentrations measured in marine and continental sediments (lakes, peat bogs), the unit is also developing innovative preparative liquid chromatography protocols to purify and collect molecular fractions prior to analysis ¹⁴C, ¹³C/¹²C and D/H.

The equipment of the organic geochemistry unit was financed by credits allocated to the Chair of Climate and Ocean Evolution of the Collège de France (Chair credits, FEDER, CPA, PACA Region, Comer Foundation of the USA, BNP Foundation) as well as by additional contributions from the ANR, the AMIDEX Foundation and the CEREGE.