The ages of natural systems are determined by the "Geochronology and Isotope Hydrology" section using the methods of environmental physics. This is of particular importance for paleo-climate research, conducted to expand our understanding of the Earth's climatic system, which is necessary if we are to be able to predict climate changes.

Geochronological techniques are used to date sediments, stalactites and stalagmites in caves, and archaeological artefacts. Isotope studies of groundwater provide information on groundwater recharge, and on the transport, mixing and chemical processes that take place in groundwater.

The section uses radiometric methods for ¹⁴C and tritium, gas mass-spectrometry for ¹³C, ¹⁸O and ²H, thermion mass-spectrometry for U/Th, as well as gamma spectrometry and luminescence dating. In combination, these methods are applied to date samples with an age of up to 500,000 years, and to investigate groundwater flow systems up to 30,000 years old.