The Center for Isotope Geoscience

at the

University of Florida

Department of Geological Sciences

The Center for Isotope Geoscience is an interdisciplinary center dedicated to the improvement of analytical techniques for measuring isotopic variations in natural and man-made materials, the application of these data to the solution of fundamental problems in the Geosciences, and the communication of this knowledge through educational activities. Overall, faculty from three colleges and many departments at the University of Florida conduct isotopically-based research in four primary areas:

• Paleoclimatology (including paleolimnology and paleoceanography)
• Paleocultural/Anthropological Studies
• Crust-Mantle Evolution
• Geochronology

Research in these areas is conducted using state-of-the-art analytical facilities housed primarily in the Department of Geology. Visitors are welcome at the center, and anyone interested in utilizing the facilities should contact the center's director (Dr. Paul Mueller) or the appropriate laboratory manager (TIMS Laboratory, Dr. Ann Heatherington; SIRMS Laboratory, Dr. Jason Curtis. Those interested in collaborative research should contact the appropriate faculty.

Radiogenic Isotopes

• Micromass Sector 54 multicollector thermal ionization mass spectrometer (TIMS)
• Rock and mineral preparation facilities
• Clean laboratory for chemical separations

Stable Isotopes

• VG PRISM (Series II) mass spectrometer (SIRMS) for C, O, H, and N analyses with automated online preparation systems for carbonates, waters, and organic matter
• Finnegan-MAT 252 Mass Spectrometer for C and O analyses with an online automated carbonate preparation system (Kiel)
• Off-line systems for H/D
• Silicate preparation line
• Carlo Erba CNS analyzer for 13C, 15N, %C, %N, and %S analyses.

Laboratories for the determination of major, minor, and trace element constituents in rock, mineral, and water samples utilize:

• Automated ARL 8420 XRF spectrometer
• Perkin Elmer atomic absorption spectrometer with graphite furnace
• Dionex DX500 ion chromatograph
• Sample preparation facilities

Facilities for mineralogic and crystallographic analysis utilize:

• Phillips APD 3600 powder X-ray diffractometer
• ISI DS-130 scanning electron microscope with Ortec energy dispersive analysis system
• Sample preparation facilities

• Paleoclimatology
• Volcanology, igneous petrology, and mantle geochemistry
• Precambrian geology and crustal evolution
• Hydrogeochemistry, diagenetic processes and fluid migration in the crust

The Center for Isotope Geoscience is involved in education through standard university curricula, plus workshops and short courses.

• Classes

• David Hodell

  
  Paleo-oceanography, climatology, and limnology. The application of stable and radiogenic isotopes (C, O, Sr) to study Earth's climate system and geochemical cycles.
   
   

• Ellen Martin

  
  Low temperature radiogenic isotope geochemistry (Sr, Nd, U/Pb) focusing on studies of paleoclimate, paleo-ocean circulation, and age-dating.
   

• Jonathan Martin

  
  Geochemistry of diagenetic systems at convergent and transform plate boundaries. Origins of the chemical and isotopic compositions of modern pore fluids and authigenic minerals.
   
   

• Paul Mueller

  
  Geochemistry, isotope geology, and geochronology, particularly the study of crustal evolution emphasizing radiogenic isotopes and rock chemistry.
   
   

• Michael Perfit

  
  Petrology and geochemistry, particularly the chemical and isotopic aspects of modern MORB and arc magma genesis.
   
   

• David Foster

  
  Geochronology, tectonics.
   
   

• Ann Heatherington

  
  Management of TIMS and XRF facilities. Applications of geochronologic and geochemical techniques to problems of tectonic reconstructions and evolution of the mantle and crust.
   
   

• Jason Curtis

  
  Management of stable isotope facility. Diagenesis, shallow magma emplacement processes, oxygen isotopes of biogenic silica for paleoclimate studies.
   
   

• Ray Thomas

  
  Mass spectrometer upgrades; software development.

• Graduate studies in the Department of Geological Sciences
• Cheatham's Instrumentation Pages

Department of Geological Sciences
Box 112120
241 Williamson Hall
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 32611

Phone: 352-392-2231
FAX: 352-392-9294
info@geology.ufl.edu
This page created by Ann Heatherington
aheath@geology.ufl.edu
 

Last update July 14, 2000