Instruments & Labs

ICP-OES (PerkinElmer Optima 8300)

The Optima 8300 is a bench-top, dual-view ICP-OES with two solid-state SCD detectors, allowing measurement in the same run of high and low concentrations of a variety of samples for enhanced productivity and accuracy even with complex matrices.  The detection limits is about 0.5uM depending on the element being analyzed and the sample matrix.  The instrument gives a linear response over 3-4 orders of magnitude in concentration (e.g., 0.1 - 500 mM Mn).

IC (Dionex ICS-2000)

The ICS-2000  is a totally integrated and preconfigured Reagent-Free (TM) Ion Chromatography system.  It can be used for both major anions and cations analyses.  Currently, it has been set up for anion analyses (fluoride, chloride, bromide, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate and phosphate).

Stable Isotope IRMS (Thermo Delta V Advantage)

Our Thermo Delta V Advantage mass spectrometer is connected with a Elemental Analyzer (Flash EA 1112).  It is available for use to collect data of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen isotopes and elemental concentrations.

Rock-Eval 6

The Rock-Eval 6 analyzer from Vinci Technologies is designed for the characterization of organic matter in petroleum source rocks, although it can alternatively be used for environmental studies. The instrument is a completely automated device consisting of separate pyrolysis and oxidation ovens. Concentrations of hydrocarbon and oxygen-bearing gasses (i.e., CO2 and CO) generated during pyrolysis (and later via oxidation) are measured as a function of heating temperature and time using FID and IR detectors, respectively. The resultant data can be used to assess the type, amounts, thermal maturity, and kinetic behavior of organic matter.

XRD (DIANO 2100-E)

The DIANO 2100E Xray Diffractometer is used to identify crystalline compounds qualitatively and quantitatively if standards are available.
Data collection, display and manipulations are easily done with Diano's XSPEX software.

Thermo Scientific Niton portable XRF analyzer

The XRF offers a rapid, nondestructive method for analysis of soils and sediments.
Applications for the instrument range from the analysis of rock core and cuttings for petroleum exploration to the evaluation of polluted soils and sediments.

Malvern Panalytical Mastersizer 3000 Hydro EV

The Mastersizer 3000 Hydro EV measures the sediment grain size distribution in water solution. The factory operational range is 0.01 – 3500 µm.
The Hydro Sight accessory allows to take real-time pictures of the particles in the laser diffraction measurement flow.

Winx vibracore drill

This vibracore can penetrate a variety of sedimentary materials up to 14 m deep (45 ft, with the current setting), with possibility to add more in 1.5-m rods. Coring capability: 14 m with 2 1/4 in rod; 1.5 ft with 1 1/4 in rod.
The ability to drill without any lubricating fluid makes the corer ideal to prevent sample contamination, and to be used in cold and regulated environments.

Picarro GasScouter G4301

The Picarro GasScouter G4301 is a new-generation, light-weight, portable, battery-powered gas concentration analyzer. It conducts simultaneous measurements of CO2, CH4, and H2O concentrations through cavity ring-down spectrometry. The scouter applications range from greenhouse gas fluxes measurements from water, soils, and plants in wetland and upland ecosystems to gas concentration measurements in the lab.

Large rock saw

This larger rock saw is fitted with a 24” diamond blade and uses ethylene glycol as lubricant and coolant.

Mansonry saw

This smaller saw is fitted with a 10” diamond blade uses water as lubricant and coolant

Diamond wire saw