Radiogenic and Stable Isotope Methods
Our work focuses on collaborating with high-priority U.S. Geological Survey projects and other Federal and international agencies, and on providing radiogenic and stable isotope analyses to support mineral- and environmentally-related geologic investigations.
Radiogenic Isotope Techniques
Radiogenic isotope techniques are used for analysis of materials, fluids, and fluid and solid inclusions from ancient and modern environments. Analytical procedures are improved and developed using thermal ionization mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for studies directed at: regional and site-specific metal mobilization, metal transport, redistribution processes, and sources of fluids for regional geologic, ore genesis, life-cycles, and environmental applications.
Stable Isotope Work
Stable isotope work includes developing new and refining existing analytical techniques for the following applications:
- oxygen isotope analysis of dissolved sulfate for studies of mine drainage, acid deposition and ecosystems;
- hydrogen isotope analysis of silicate and other hydrated minerals for studies of ore genesis; and
- sulfur isotope analysis of submilligram samples of sulfide and sulfate minerals using continuous-flow technology for environmental, ore genesis and ecosystem studies.
Return to Mineral Resources Program
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Understanding processes affecting mineral deposits in humid environments
Geochemical and isotopic study of soils and waters from an Italian contaminated site: Agro Aversano (Campania)
Formation of cordierite-bearing lavas during anatexis in the lower crust beneath Lipari Island (Aeolian arc, Italy)
Lead isotopes in soils and groundwaters as tracers of the impact of human activities on the surface environment: The Domizio-Flegreo Littoral (Italy) case study
Porphyry copper deposit model
The role of ridge subduction in determining the geochemistry and Nd–Sr–Pb isotopic evolution of the Kodiak batholith in southern Alaska
Mineral sources and transport pathways for arsenic release in a coastal watershed, USA
Anthropogenic and natural lead isotopes in Fe-hydroxides and Fe-sulphates in a watershed associated with arsenic-enriched groundwater, Maine, USA
Environmental geochemistry of a Kuroko-type massive sulfide deposit at the abandoned Valzinco mine, Virginia, USA
Geological assessment of cores from the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, New Hampshire
Regional Fluid Flow and Basin Modeling in Northern Alaska
High arsenic concentrations and enriched sulfur and oxygen isotopes in a fractured-bedrock ground-water system
Our work focuses on collaborating with high-priority U.S. Geological Survey projects and other Federal and international agencies, and on providing radiogenic and stable isotope analyses to support mineral- and environmentally-related geologic investigations.
Radiogenic Isotope Techniques
Radiogenic isotope techniques are used for analysis of materials, fluids, and fluid and solid inclusions from ancient and modern environments. Analytical procedures are improved and developed using thermal ionization mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for studies directed at: regional and site-specific metal mobilization, metal transport, redistribution processes, and sources of fluids for regional geologic, ore genesis, life-cycles, and environmental applications.
Stable Isotope Work
Stable isotope work includes developing new and refining existing analytical techniques for the following applications:
- oxygen isotope analysis of dissolved sulfate for studies of mine drainage, acid deposition and ecosystems;
- hydrogen isotope analysis of silicate and other hydrated minerals for studies of ore genesis; and
- sulfur isotope analysis of submilligram samples of sulfide and sulfate minerals using continuous-flow technology for environmental, ore genesis and ecosystem studies.
Return to Mineral Resources Program
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.