Helen Grant, MSc

Stable Isotope Analyst

I joined the CEH Lancaster node of the NERC Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility in March 2000, when a new analytical post was created because of increased workload within the facility and the initiation of the NERC thematic programmes.

I work within the Lancaster LSMS Facility analysing bulk environmental samples (soils, vegetation, animal material) for carbon and nitrogen using the technique of isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

I have a degree in Biological Sciences from Bangor University and an MSc in the Biology of Water Resource Management from Napier University, Edinburgh.

My job also includes sample preparation techniques, including steam distillation and liquid nitrogen grinding, and I coordinate the ordering and supply of gases to CEH Lancaster. I have also participated in fieldwork with members of CEH Bangor staff involved in the Terrestrial Umbrella project.

Selected publications

See also the NERC Open Research Archive.

Evans, Chris D.; Norris, Dave; Ostle, Nick; Grant, Helen; Rowe, Edwin C.; Curtis, Chris J.; Reynolds, Brian. 2008 Rapid immobilisation and leaching of wet-deposited nitrate in upland organic soils. Environmental Pollution, 156 (3). 636-643. 10.1016/j.envpol.2008.06.019

Murray, Phillip; Ostle, Nick; Kenny, Carolyn; Grant, Helen. 2004 Effect of defoliation on patterns of carbon exudation from Agrostis capillaris. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 167 (4). 487-493. 10.1002/jpln.200320371

McNamara, N., Benham, D., Sleep, D., Grant, H. & Stott, A.W. (2002) Development of a trace gas isotope capture system in a mobile laboratory for temporal and spatial sampling of field and laboratory experiments. Rapid Comm. Mass Spectrometry 16 (23), 2165-2171 2002

Carter, J.F., Titterton, E.L., Grant, H., Sleeman, R. (2002) Isotopic changes during the synthesis of amphetamines. Chemical Communications 21, 2590-2591

Curtis, C., Emmett, B.A., Grant, H., Reynolds, B. & Shilland, E. (2003) Short-term retention of N deposition in moorland soils and plants measured using a 15N tracer. Contract report to National Power.

Hughes, S., Grant, H., Ostle, N., Emmett, B.A. & UKREATE consortium (2004) The controls on immobilisation of ammonium and nitrate and the link to the onset of N saturation. Contract report to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. UMBRELLA project.