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.
Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska, 2005
U-Pb zircon ages and Pb isotope geochemistry of gold deposits in the Carolina slate belt of South Carolina
Isotopic composition of Pb and Th in interplinian volcanics from Somma-Vesuvius volcano, Italy
Origin of the Red Dog Zn-Pb-Ag deposits, Brooks Range, Alaska: Evidence from regional Pb and Sr isotope sources
Textural, compositional, and sulfur isotope variations of sulfide minerals in the Red Dog Zn-Pb-Ag deposits, Brooks Range, Alaska: Implications for Ore Formation
A metallogenic survey of alkalic rocks of Mt. Somma-Vesuvius volcano
Pb isotopes and toxic metals in floodplain and stream sediments from the Volturno river basin, Italy
Sulfur and lead isotope geochemistry of hypogene mineralization at the Barite Hill Gold Deposit, Carolina Slate Belt, southeastern United States: A window into and through regional metamorphism
Isotope geochemistry and fluid inclusion study of skarns from Vesuvius
Remnant colloform pyrite at the haile gold deposit, South Carolina: A textural key to genesis
Stratigraphy, geochemistry and tectonic significance of the Oligocene magmatic rocks of western Oaxaca, southern Mexico
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.