Isotope Geochem Laboratory 2

The research focus on Uranium-Thorium dating of carbonates to understand how hydro-climate changes in the tropics during the late Pleistocene and Holocene. The group work with both terrestrial and marine sediment samples from the tropics, including speleothems and corals.

 

Equipment: (Laser Ablation) ICP Mass Spectrometer

Model/Brand: iCAP Q Thermo Scientific

Specifications

  • Highly reproducible multi-element analysis in a variety of sample matrices across the entire mass range from Li to U.
  • Optional use of He gas in a collision cell to reduce polyatomic interferences.
  • Secondary electron multiplier detector provides a high linear dynamic detection range over 9 orders of magnitude for the accurate analysis of traces to major element concentrations.
  • Photon Machines Analyte G2 laser ablation sampling system is used to microsample solid materials with minimal sample preparation at micro-scale spatial resolution.

Applications

For high quality and high throughput multi-element analysis of major and trace element concentrations in a wide variety of materials including geological, environmental, and biological samples.
Measure trace element concentrations of solutions (e.g. natural waters, dissolved solid samples) down to low ppb levels.
With the laser ablation system, measure trace element and isotopic compositions of major and accessory minerals and volcanic glass at spatial resolutions of 5–150 µm used for correlating volcanic ash units, trace element fingerprinting and characterisation of minerals, diffusion studies, U-Pb geochronology of zircon and accessory mineral thermometry.
LA-ICP-MS mapping trace element distributions within crystals and across the constituent minerals of rock samples.

 

Equipment: Laser Ablation Sampling System

Model/Brand: ANALYTE G2 Thermo Fisher

Specifications

Photon Machines Analyte G2 laser ablation sampling system is used to microsample solid materials with minimal sample preparation at micro-scale spatial resolution.

Applications

With the laser ablation system, measure trace element and isotopic compositions of major and accessory minerals and volcanic glass at spatial resolutions of 5–150 µm used for correlating volcanic ash units, trace element fingerprinting and characterisation of minerals, diffusion studies, U-Pb geochronology of zircon and accessory mineral thermometry.
LA-ICP-MS mapping trace element distributions within crystals and across the constituent minerals of rock samples.

 

 

Equipment: Multi-collector ICP-MS

Model/Brand: Neptune Plus Thermo Scientific

Specifications

  • Jet Interface: 10- and 20-times higher sensitivity in desolvation mode, across the entire mass range
  • High Resolution: resolving powers of up to m/∆m = 8,000 at >10% transmission

Applications

Application demands of geosciences and other disciplines that require high-precision isotope ratio measurement, that has the capability to separate polyatomic interferences from the analyte of interest to produce precise and accurate isotope ratios

 

 

Equipment: High Performance High Resolution ICP-MS

Model/Brand: Element 2 THERMO SCIENTIFIC

Specifications

  • Sensitivity (Concentric Nebulizer): >1 x 10e9 counts per second (cps)/ppm In
  • Detection Power: < 1 ppq for non-interfered nuclides
  • Dark Noise: < 0.2 cps
  • Dynamic Range: >10e9 linear with automatic gain calibration
  • Mass Resolution: 300, 4000, 10,000 (10% valley, equivalent to 5% height) 600, 8000, 20,000 (FWHM)
  • Signal Stability: better than 1% over 10 minutes, better than 2% over 1 hour
  • Scan Speed (magnetic): m/z 7 -> 240 to 7 < 150 ms
  • Scan Speed (electric): 1 ms/jump, independent of mass range
  • Oxide and Doubly Charged Ions: ratio BaO+/Ba+ measured < 0.002, ratio Ba2+ / Ba+ measured < 0.03

Applications

For multi-elemental analysis by interference-free measurements across the periodic table covering a mg/L to sub pg/L concentration range, from ultra-trace to matrix components.

 

 

Equipment: Desolvating Nebulizer System

Model/Brand: Aridus II™ CETAC

Specifications

  • Nebulizer: CETAC Aspire PFA, 50, 100 or 200 µL/min
  • PTFE Desolvating Membrane:
  • Ar Sweep Gas: 0-7.0 L/min
  • Nitrogen Gas: 0-100 mL/min
  • Membrane Temperature: 160°C
  • Spray Chamber: PFA with pumped drain
  • Temperature: 110°C

Applications

For ICP mass spectrometry, which provides low sample flow rates and constructed entirely of inert materials and is suited for use with acidic and alkaline solutions. 

 

 

Equipment: Ductless Hood

Model/Brand: 

  • SPD-3B2
  • SPD-4B1
  • ESCO MICRO

Specifications

  • Filtration Elements Pre-filter: Disposable, non washable polyester fiber, 85% arrestance, EU3 rated
  • Inflow Air Velocity Initial set point: 0.5 m/s (100 fpm)

Applications

To protects from toxic vapors, gases, fumes and particulate

 

 

Equipment: Ductless Hood

Model/Brand: AC600 Workstation ESCO MICRO

Specifications

  • AirSafe® automatic safety controller
  • Integral base with deep spill lip
  • Gas phase bonded carbon filtration

Applications

To protects from toxic vapors, gases, fumes and particulate