Research Services

In Situ Analyses

• Major/minor element characterization by SEM-EDS and/or EPMA (some trace elements as well)
• Elemental characterization by LA-ICP-MS (spot analyses) in silicates, oxides (e.g. magnetite), sulfides, hard and soft biological tissues (e.g. vegetation, blood, bone); mapping possibilities upon discussion of needs
• U-Pb isotope dating of accessory minerals (e.g., zircon, titanite, apatite, monazite, rutile, garnet) and ore minerals (e.g., cassiterite, wolframite) by LA-ICP-MS
• Radiogenic Hf isotopes in zircon and rutile by LA-MC-ICP-MS
• Radiogenic Sr isotopes in carbonates and (bio)-apatite (COMING SOON)
• Radiogenic Nd isotopes in titanite, apatite and monazite (COMING SOON)

Solution-based Analyses

• Full chemical digestion of rock/mineral samples (HF/HNO₃/HCl/H₂O₂), organic-rich materials (e.g. vegetation), biological materials (e.g. blood, soft/hard tissue) and aqueous samples. Microwave-assisted acid attack possible for all digestions not involving HF.
• Full major/minor/trace element characterization. Typically, sub-ppb trace metal detection limits
• Stable Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn (all sample types)
• Stable Mo and Nd isotopes using a double spike (rock/mineral; aqueous samples)
• Radiogenic Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes (all sample types)
• Isotope dilution Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd analyses (rock/mineral samples)

Geological Characterisation & Economic Resources

• Major/minor/trace element characterization via LA-ICP-MS in metals/alloys, oxides (eg magnetite) and sulfides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite). Example analytical list for oxides/sulfides: Mg, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, As, Sn, Sb, Pb
• Major/minor element characterization via ICP-OES
• Minor/trace element characterization via Q-ICP-MS (SQ and TQ options)
• Stable Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo isotopes via MC-ICP-MS
• Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd (isotope dilution) analyses via MC-ICP-MS
• U-Pb isotope dating of accessory minerals (e.g., zircon, titanite, apatite, monazite, rutile, garnet) and ore minerals (e.g., cassiterite, wolframite) by LA-ICP-MS

Hydrogeochemistry

• Major/minor/trace element characterization in riverine, groundwater and marine samples
• Stable Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo isotopes
• Radiogenic Sr, Nd, Pb isotopes
• Stable Li, B isotopes (COMING SOON)

Biological Materials

• Major/minor/trace element characterisation in organic/biological media via (SQ/TQ)-ICP-MS (eg vegetation, blood/plasma, organic soft/hard tissue)
• Trace element quantification and/or mapping in soft/hard biological tissues via LA-ICP-MS
• Stable Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn isotopes via MC-ICP-MS
• Radiogenic Sr, Nd, Pb isotopes via MC-ICP-MS

For further details of ongoing research within the Isotropics Geochemistry Laboratory please see the Researchers page for our JCU Research Portfolios or visit the EGRC website.