The SIBS 2020 workshop was an inspiring week of scientific exploration and hands-on learning at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra! Participants immersed themselves in the fascinating world of stable isotopes, from the fundamentals of isotope measurement to advanced applications in plant, soil, and biogeochemical research. Through interactive lectures, lab sessions, and field projects, attendees gained practical experience in isotope analysis and developed their own research projects.
The SIBS 2020 workshop was nothing short of dramatic. Australia was in the midst of its devastating “Black Summer” bushfires, which raged across the continent between 2019 and early 2020, casting smoky skies over Canberra and raising the stakes for research into atmospheric processes.
Just when we thought the elements couldn’t surprise us more, Canberra was struck by a spectacular hailstorm. Hailstones, some the size of golf balls, battered the campus and surrounding suburbs with winds reaching up to 117 km/h. In true scientific spirit, a few participants dashed outside mid-storm to collect hail fragments, eager to test their isotopic signatures and compare them with local rain and snow. It was a rare and fascinating opportunity to observe how isotopes are fractionated in extreme convective storms.
Throughout the week, attendees ventured out on field excursions, sampled soils, and discussed how environmental events influence carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in ecosystems. Workshops featured live demonstrations, shared sampling of plant and soil materials, and energetic group sessions brainstorming innovative experimental designs. The event concluded with lively presentation sessions, impromptu lightning debates, and a shared sense that the week had forged not only new skills but lasting collaborations.
