Denver Radiogenic Isotope Lab
Building 95 on the Denver Federal Center houses the Denver radiogenic isotope laboratory along with the Southwest Isotope Research Laboratory (SWIRL)
Thermal-ionization mass spectrometers constituting the core of the Denver Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory
Detritus-poor pedogenic coatings, like this one, are used to constrain minimum ages of alluvial deposition using U-series disequilibrium dating
millimeter-scale subsamples analyzed for U-series disequilibrium dating plus 87Sr/86Sr, 234U/238U, δ18O, and δ13C analyses
The GEC Science Center supports a laboratory facility that includes sample preparation labs, class-10,000 or better clean labs for chemical processing, and an instrument lab with multiple thermal ionization mass spectrometers (TIMS).
DRIL Facilities
[The use of firm, trade, and brand names is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. government.]
The GEC and G3 Science Centers jointly support a laboratory facility located in Building 95 of the Denver Fed Center that includes sample preparation labs, two class-10,000 or better clean labs for chemical processing, and an instrument lab for thermal ionization mass spectrometers (TIMS). The lab is effectively shared between Science Centers and provides a model for efficient use of space and communal resources.
The facility maintains two multi-collector TIMS instruments, including an IsotopX Phoenix (installed July 2017) and Thermo Finnigan Triton (installed 2004). These instruments are capable of running in fully automated modes or remotely through a secured internet connection. Both have moveable faraday cups allowing static or dynamic simultaneous multi-collection of large ion beams. Small ion beams are measured by single-collector peak-hopping methods using either a discrete-dynode electron multiplier or Daly-knob /photomultiplier collector.
Prior to TIMS analyses, chemical processing is required to separate and purify the element of interest. This typically involves acid-digestion and evaporation followed by ion chromatographic exchange on small, resin-filled columns. The clean labs include multiple HEPA-filtered work stations and evaporation boxes that provide class-1000 or better work spaces. As a result, samples are exposed to minimal environmental contamination during processing allowing analyses of very small samples.
Staff
- Adam Hudson (ahudson@usgs.gov): Research Geologist (Principal Investigator), GECSC
-
Richard Moscati (rmoscati@usgs.gov): Research Geologist (Principal Investigator), GGGSC
-
Ryan Frazer (rfrazer@usgs.gov): Physical Scientist, GECSC
-
Neil Griffis (ngriffis@usgs.gov): Research Geologist, GGGSC
- James Paces (jbpaces@usgs.gov): Research Geologist (Emeritus), GECSC
-
Leonid Neymark (lneymark@usgs.gov): Research Chemist (Emeritus), GGGSC
- Wayne Premo (wpremo@usgs.gov): Research Geologist (Emeritus), GECSC
Related
Isotopic, geochronologic and soil temperature data for Holocene and late Pleistocene soil carbonates of the San Luis Valley, Colorado and New Mexico, USA
Geochemical data for post-fire surface water, streambed sediment, and soils from areas affected by the 2018 Camp Fire, Butte County, California
During November 2018, the Camp Fire burned more than 150,000 acres in Butte County, California. The fire was the deadliest and most destructive in California history, destroying more than 18,000 structures and causing at least 85 fatalities. The U.S. Geological Survey sampled surface water in areas affected by the Camp Fire, plus an unburned control site, during two post-fire sampling events, Janu
Geochemical and isotopic data from glendonites and surrounding sediment, Carter Creek, North Slope Alaska
Isotope analyses (234U/238U, 87Sr/86Sr, δ13C, and δ18O) and U-series disequilibrium ages for speleothem, water, and rock samples associated with Fitton Cave, Buffalo National River, Arkansas, USA
Geochronologic and isotopic data for Paleohydrologic history of Pluvial Lake San Agustin, New Mexico
Mineralogy, strontium (87Sr/86Sr), oxygen (18O/16O) and carbon (13C/12C) isotope composition, elemental concentrations, and U-Th disequilibrium ages for travertine deposits from various locations in Yellowstone National Park, USA
Quetrupillán Volcanic Complex, southern Chile: Argon age data and Pb, Sr, and Nd isotopic data
Elemental and Strontium Isotopic Composition of Select Central Plateau and Upper Basin Member Rhyolites, Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field
Sr and U concentrations and radiogenic isotope compositions (87Sr/86Sr, 234U/238U) of thermal waters, streamflow, travertine, and rock samples along with U-Th disequilibrium ages for travertine deposits from various locations in Yellowstone National Park,
Strontium and uranium isotopic compositions (87Sr/86Sr and 234U/238U) of mid- to late-Holocene lacustrine sediments from Lower Pahranagat Lake, Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, Lincoln County, Nevada
Sr concentrations and 87Sr/86Sr data used to determine the Sr-chronostratigraphic age of sirenian fossils on Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA
Sr-, U-, H- and O-isotope data used to evaluate water sources in the Potrero Creek Wetlands, Upper Santa Cruz Basin, southern Arizona, USA
Radiogenic strontium- and uranium-isotope tracers of water-rock interactions and hydrothermal flow in the Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, USA
Unified 200 kyr paleohydrologic history of the Southern Great Basin: Death Valley, Searles Valley, Owens Valley and the Devils Hole cave
Clumped isotopes record a glacial-interglacial shift in seasonality of soil carbonate accumulation in the San Luis Valley, southern Rocky Mountains, USA
Travertine records climate-induced transformations of the Yellowstone hydrothermal system from the late Pleistocene to the present
Insights into glendonite formation from the upper Oligocene Sagavanirktok Formation, North Slope, Alaska
Paleohydrologic history of pluvial lake San Agustin, New Mexico: Tracking changing effective moisture in southwest North America through the last glacial transition
Strontium isotope chronostratigraphic age of a sirenian fossil site on Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands National Park, California
Central Andean (28–34°S) flood record 0–25 ka from Salinas del Bebedero, Argentina
Evidence for humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum
Geomorphic history of Lake Manix, Mojave Desert, California: Evolution of a complex terminal lake basin
Reconstructing paleohydrology in the northwest Great Basin since the last deglaciation using Paisley Caves fish remains (Oregon, U.S.A.)
Dating silica sinter (geyserite): A cautionary tale
Related
Isotopic, geochronologic and soil temperature data for Holocene and late Pleistocene soil carbonates of the San Luis Valley, Colorado and New Mexico, USA
Geochemical data for post-fire surface water, streambed sediment, and soils from areas affected by the 2018 Camp Fire, Butte County, California
During November 2018, the Camp Fire burned more than 150,000 acres in Butte County, California. The fire was the deadliest and most destructive in California history, destroying more than 18,000 structures and causing at least 85 fatalities. The U.S. Geological Survey sampled surface water in areas affected by the Camp Fire, plus an unburned control site, during two post-fire sampling events, Janu