Hydroisotop

Hydroisotop GmbH is a German analytical laboratory and consultancy based in Schweitenkirchen, Bavaria, that specialises in the measurement, evaluation and interpretation of natural and artificial isotope contents in water, gas and solid (rock, soil) samples, combined with chemical analysis. The company was founded in 1982 by Dr. Lorenz Eichinger and Dr. Markus Forster, both physicists who had completed doctorates on the detection and interpretation of natural isotopes in the environment, with an early focus on groundwater and drinking water. Over more than four decades it has broadened its scope from isotope studies of natural systems into organic trace-pollutant analysis, food authenticity testing, geothermal and mineral-water investigations, landfill monitoring, building water-damage diagnostics and natural attenuation assessment. The firm positions itself as a bridge between quality-assured laboratory analytics and scientific interpretation, offering sampling, analysis, interpretation and consulting as an integrated service. Its stated fields of work include groundwater, mineral and healing waters, tracer tests, geothermal energy, food, filter technology, landfill monitoring, water damage, organic pollutants, gases, solids, biogenic carbon and air quality. Its team of more than 40 staff spans chemistry, food chemistry, geology, mineralogy, hydrology, biology, environmental engineering, chemical engineering, physics and geophysics. Hydroisotop operates from its headquarters and laboratory in Schweitenkirchen, with additional offices in Emmendingen (Baden-Württemberg) and in Dettmannsdorf, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It remains a privately held GmbH. Leadership passed within the founding family: Dr. Florian Eichinger, a mineralogist, joined the management in 2015 alongside his father Dr. Lorenz Eichinger, who remained closely involved in projects until his death in 2020. The company also runs training seminars on isotope systems in hydrogeology and the environment, and on the treatment of mineral and drinking water, and it presents at industry events such as the Geothermiekongress.

Hydroisotop GmbH was founded in 1982 by Dr. Lorenz Eichinger and Dr. Markus Forster, both graduate physicists whose doctoral research dealt with the detection and interpretation of natural isotope contents in the environment, particularly in groundwater and drinking water. From its base in Schweitenkirchen, Bavaria, the young company concentrated on measuring natural isotope levels in the systems water, gas and rock, and on specialised geological and hydrogeological questions such as deep waters and mineral, thermal and healing waters. In the years that followed, Hydroisotop developed close cooperation with various research institutions, carrying out environmental research tasks partly in cooperation with universities and large-scale research centres. Dr. Markus Forster remained with the company until his death in 1999. While the early emphasis lay on isotope investigations in natural systems, especially groundwater, the company gradually widened its field of work. It added organic trace-pollutant analysis in groundwater and soil samples, gas analysis and further services. Today its stated work spectrum covers groundwater, mineral and healing waters, tracer tests, geothermal energy, food, filter technology, landfill monitoring, water damage, organic pollutants, gases, solids, biogenic carbon and air quality. The company describes itself as a leader in the measurement and interpretation of isotope signatures in pollutants. A generational transition took place in 2015, when Dr. Florian Eichinger, a mineralogist, took over joint management of the company with his father, Dr. Lorenz Eichinger. Dr. Lorenz Eichinger remained closely involved in Hydroisotop's projects until his death in 2020. By the 2020s the company had grown to a team of more than 40 employees with backgrounds spanning chemistry, food chemistry, geology, mineralogy, hydrology, biology, environmental engineering, chemical engineering, physics, geophysics and laboratory assistance. Besides its headquarters and laboratory in Schweitenkirchen, it maintains offices in Emmendingen in Baden-Württemberg and in Dettmannsdorf in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Alongside its analytical work, Hydroisotop runs continuing-education seminars — for example on various isotope systems in hydrogeology and the environment, and on the treatment of mineral and drinking water — and its specialists appear at industry gatherings such as the Geothermiekongress and the FSU-Schadentage.

• 2026

  Company announces participation in the Geothermiekongress (Potsdam, 20–22 October 2026) and a lecture at the 4th FSU-Schadentage 2026.

• 2020

  Dr. Lorenz Eichinger dies; he had remained closely involved in Hydroisotop projects until his death.

• 2015

  Dr. Florian Eichinger joins the management of Hydroisotop together with his father, Dr. Lorenz Eichinger.

• 1999

  Co-founder Dr. Markus Forster dies; he had worked at Hydroisotop until his death.

• 1982

  Hydroisotop GmbH founded by Dr. Lorenz Eichinger and Dr. Markus Forster.

Quality-assured laboratory analytics combined with scientific evaluation and interpretation for origin, authenticity, age, natural attenuation and quality questions.

• Isotope analytics of water, gas and solid samples

  Measurement of natural and artificial isotope contents in environmental systems and food, with scientific interpretation regarding genesis, origin, authenticity, age, natural attenuation, quality, biogenic fraction or treatment.

• Organic trace pollutant analysis

  Analysis of organic trace pollutants in groundwater and soil samples, including measurement and interpretation of isotope signatures in pollutants.

• Food authenticity testing

  Isotope and chemistry analysis of food samples for authenticity and origin questions.

• Geothermal and mineral water investigations

  Specialised geological and hydrogeological investigations of deep waters and mineral, thermal and healing waters.

• Seminars and training

  Hybrid and in-person seminars, e.g. on various isotope systems in hydrogeology and the environment, and on the treatment of mineral and drinking water.

1. 1Hydroisotop official website homepagehydroisotop.de
2. 2Hydroisotop – Geschichtehydroisotop.de
3. 3Hydroisotop – Über unshydroisotop.de
4. 4Hydroisotop – Standortehydroisotop.de
5. 5Wikidata – Hydroisotop (Germany)wikidata.org