Center for Isotope Geochemistry

Analytical Facilities

The Center for Isotope Geochemistry (CIG) labs includes six analytical facilities. These facilities provide state-of-the-art characterization of all types of earth materials for research. The instrumentation and laboratories are integral to CIG’s focus on developing new isotopic ratio methods to study fundamental earth processes, and environmental and energy problems of national interest.

We also work closely with the Cosmochemistry Laboratory (under the direction of Kunihiko Nishiizumi, UC Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory) and Lab for Environmental and Sedimentary Isotope Geochemistry (under the direction of B. Lynn Ingram, UC Berkeley’s Earth and Planetary Science Department).

Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometers

This facility’s two Thermo-Finnigan Triton Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometers (aka TIMS) have capabilities for high precision isotopic and elemental abundance measurements of Sr, Nd, Sm, Ca, K, Fe, U, Th, Pb, Ba, La, Ce, Cr and limited Rb, using conventional thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The instruments provide capabilities for Sr and Nd isotope ratios (±5…

IsoProbe (Magnetic Sector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer) Laboratory

This facility provides high precision isotopic measurements of a wide range of elements—isotopic analyses are routinely conducted for Li, B, Mg, K, Cr, Sr, Hf, Nd, Pb, Ru, U and Th. We expect to add Zn, and Ti isotopic measurements to our repertoire soon. The lab houses a multiple collector ICP mass spectrometer (the IsoProbe,…

Stable Isotope Laboratory

This facility consists of two laboratories. The main laboratory includes a Micromass JA Series Isoprime mass spectrometer and a Thermo Delta V Plus mass spectrometer. The Isoprime is fitted with an trace gas pre-concentration system designed for analyses of the isotopic compositions of atmospheric gases (CO2, CH4 and N2O) with a Gilson auto-sampler and an…

GC/MS+TCD Laboratory: Bulk Gas Geochemistry and Characterization of Volatile and Fluid Phase Samples

Our Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer + Thermal Conductivity Detector (GC/MS+TCD) laboratory has been designed for bulk gas analytical characterization of geothermal, reservoir and volcanic gasses. The instrument is currently configured with a high vacuum inlet system that is directly attached to the gas chromatograph (Hewlett-Packard 6890 series GC) via a 10-port valve. The inlet system has…

TANGO: Noble Gases in Rocks, Minerals, and Fluid Inclusions

The TANGO facility consists of an all-metal low-blank high-resolution VG5400 noble gas mass spectrometer purchased from VG Fisons. Connected to the mass spectrometer is an all-metal low-blank gas extraction and purification line. The TANGO system is designed specifically for abundance and isotopic analyses of the five stable noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe)…

RARGA: Noble Gases in Fluids Lab

The RARGA facility consists of an all-metal high-resolution noble gas mass spectrometer constructed in-house. Connected to the mass spectrometer is an all-metal gas extraction and purification line. The RARGA system is designed specifically for abundance and isotope analyses of the five stable noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) contained in bulk fluids, e.g.…