| We
do fundamental and applied research on the use of geochemical systems in
addressing questions across the breadth of the geosciences. Areas of
particular emphasis include igneous geochemistry, seawater-rock interaction
at ocean ridge hydrothermal systems, heavy metal and pollutant transport,
investigation of early life, mass extinction events and life in extreme
environments, climate variability and change from ice cores, atmospheric
chemistry and biogeochemical cycles, the investigation of geomorphic processes
especially in the polar regions, and geochronology of geomorphic surfaces.
State of the art instrumentation
and facilities are housed in several laboratories:
- In the QRC/Astrobiology
Stable Isotope Laboratory: Four gas-source mass spectrometers for
routine analysis of C, N, O, H, S isotope ratios in organic materials,
carbonates, water and atmospheric gases (e.g. N2O, CH4), and for development
of novel analysis techniques.
- In the Isotope
Geochemistry Laboratory: a thermal ionization mass spectrometer
used primarily for isotopic analyses of Sr, Nd and Pb, and for high-precision
analyses of selected trace elements, and a multi-collector ICP-MS
for analyses of radiogenic (e.g., Hf, U-series, Pb, Nd) and stable
metal (e.g., Li, Fe, Zn, Cu) isotope analyses.
- In the Cosmogenic
Isotope Laboratory, state of the art facilities for preparation
of
samples for accelerator mass spectrometry measurements of cosmogenic
isotopes including 36Cl, 10Be,
and 26Al.
- In the QRC soils/aqueous
geochemistry laboratory, an ICP-OES (inductively coupled argon plasma
optical emission spectrometer) for total
elemental analysis of water and extracted samples; a laser-diffraction
particle size analyzer for soils and sediments (for particles from 40
nm to
2 mm); and a total organic/inorganic carbon analyzer for water samples
for carbon concentrations to 5 ppb or higher.
Faculty Members:
Roger
Buick
Kari Cooper
Bruce Nelson
Ron Sletten
Eric Steig
John
Stone
Terry Swanson
Peter Ward
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