Tyler B. Coplen, Ph.D.
Dr. Tyler Coplen is the Director of the Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory of the USGS Water Resources Mission Area.
Tyler B. Coplen is an ST scientist in geochemistry. His research focuses on isotope hydrology, development of innovative analytical techniques for isotopic analysis of light elements, provides forensic-quality analytical services to USGS programs, and creates isotopic reference materials for calibration of mass spectrometers and laser absorption spectrometers in isotope laboratories worldwide. In 1974, he joined the U.S. Geological Survey, and in 1978, he set up the Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory, please visit the Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory website. He set up and led the Subcommittee on Natural Isotopic Fractionation (1985–2002) of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) that resulted in a dozen elements being assigned standard atomic-weight values that are intervals, instead of single values, to indicate that atomic-weight values of many elements are not constants of nature.
Professional Experience
Assistant Research Geochemist, University of California, Riverside 1970–1974
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1970, University of Chicago, Department of Geophysical Sciences, Advisor: Prof. Robert N. Clayton
M.S. 1968, University of Chicago, Department of Geophysical Sciences
B.S. 1966, Pacific Lutheran University, Major: Physics
Affiliations and Memberships*
Honorary Member, Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Science and Products
New reference materials for nitrogen-isotope-ratio measurements
Proceedings of the U.S. Geological Survey global change research forum, Herndon, Virginia, March 18-20, 1991
Reporting of nitrogen-isotope abundances (Technical Report)
Continuous 500,000-year climate record from vein calcite in Devils Hole, Nevada
Caution on the use of Viton® or FETFE® O-rings in carbon dioxide sample containers for δ180 analysis
Gas chromatographic separation of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide for stable isotopic analysis of carbon dioxide
A 250,000-year climatic record from great basin vein calcite: Implications for Milankovitch theory
Normalization of oxygen and hydrogen isotope data
Multisample conversion of water to hydrogen by zinc for stable isotope determination
Comparison of stable isotope reference samples
Tracing ground-water movement by using the stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen, upper Penitencia Creek alluvial fan, Santa Clara Valley, California
The origin of the Cerro Prieto geothermal brine
Science and Products
New reference materials for nitrogen-isotope-ratio measurements
Proceedings of the U.S. Geological Survey global change research forum, Herndon, Virginia, March 18-20, 1991
Reporting of nitrogen-isotope abundances (Technical Report)
Continuous 500,000-year climate record from vein calcite in Devils Hole, Nevada
Caution on the use of Viton® or FETFE® O-rings in carbon dioxide sample containers for δ180 analysis
Gas chromatographic separation of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide for stable isotopic analysis of carbon dioxide
A 250,000-year climatic record from great basin vein calcite: Implications for Milankovitch theory
Normalization of oxygen and hydrogen isotope data
Multisample conversion of water to hydrogen by zinc for stable isotope determination
Comparison of stable isotope reference samples
Tracing ground-water movement by using the stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen, upper Penitencia Creek alluvial fan, Santa Clara Valley, California
The origin of the Cerro Prieto geothermal brine
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government