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
Normalization of stable isotope data for carbonate minerals: implementation of IUPAC guideline
Isotopic disproportionation during hydrogen isotopic analysis of nitrogen-bearing organic compounds
Beyond temperature: Clumped isotope signatures in dissolved inorganic carbon species and the influence of solution chemistry on carbonate mineral composition
On-line hydrogen-isotope measurements of organic samples using elemental chromium: An extension for high temperature elemental-analyzer techniques
USGS46 Greenland ice core water – A new isotopic reference material for δ2H and δ18O measurements of water
A 19-year record of chemical and isotopic composition of water from springs of the Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, 1995-2014
Biscayne aquifer drinking water (USGS45): a new isotopic reference material for δ2H and δ18O measurements of water
Caution on the use of NBS 30 biotite for hydrogen-isotope measurements with on-line high-temperature conversion systems
Oxygen isotope systematics in the aragonite-CO2-H2O-NaCl system up to 0.7 mol/kg ionic strength at 25 °C
Assessment of international reference materials for isotope-ratio analysis (IUPAC Technical Report)
Lake Louise Water (USGS47): A new isotopic reference water for stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope measurements
USGS48 Puerto Rico precipitation - A new isotopic reference material for δ2H and δ18O measurements of water
Science and Products
Normalization of stable isotope data for carbonate minerals: implementation of IUPAC guideline
Isotopic disproportionation during hydrogen isotopic analysis of nitrogen-bearing organic compounds
Beyond temperature: Clumped isotope signatures in dissolved inorganic carbon species and the influence of solution chemistry on carbonate mineral composition
On-line hydrogen-isotope measurements of organic samples using elemental chromium: An extension for high temperature elemental-analyzer techniques
USGS46 Greenland ice core water – A new isotopic reference material for δ2H and δ18O measurements of water
A 19-year record of chemical and isotopic composition of water from springs of the Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, 1995-2014
Biscayne aquifer drinking water (USGS45): a new isotopic reference material for δ2H and δ18O measurements of water
Caution on the use of NBS 30 biotite for hydrogen-isotope measurements with on-line high-temperature conversion systems
Oxygen isotope systematics in the aragonite-CO2-H2O-NaCl system up to 0.7 mol/kg ionic strength at 25 °C
Assessment of international reference materials for isotope-ratio analysis (IUPAC Technical Report)
Lake Louise Water (USGS47): A new isotopic reference water for stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope measurements
USGS48 Puerto Rico precipitation - A new isotopic reference material for δ2H and δ18O measurements of water
*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