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
Evidence for high salinity of Early Cretaceous sea water from the Chesapeake Bay crater
Spatial, seasonal, and source variability in the stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition of tap waters throughout the USA
The δ2H and δ18O of tap water from 349 sites in the United States and selected territories
Atomic weights of the elements 2011 (IUPAC Technical Report)
Table of standard atomic weights 2013
Stable isotope deltas: Tiny, yet robust signatures in nature
Determination of the δ2H and δ18O of soil water and water in plant matter; RSIL lab code 1700
Determination of the δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbon in water; RSIL lab code 1710
USGS42 and USGS43: Human-hair stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopic reference materials and analytical methods for forensic science and implications for published measurement results
Improved online δ18O measurements of nitrogen‐ and sulfur‐bearing organic materials and a proposed analytical protocol
Investigation of preparation techniques for δ2H analysis of keratin materials and a proposed analytical protocol
The chronology for the d18O record from Devils Hole, Nevada, extended into the Mid-Holocene
Science and Products
Evidence for high salinity of Early Cretaceous sea water from the Chesapeake Bay crater
Spatial, seasonal, and source variability in the stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition of tap waters throughout the USA
The δ2H and δ18O of tap water from 349 sites in the United States and selected territories
Atomic weights of the elements 2011 (IUPAC Technical Report)
Table of standard atomic weights 2013
Stable isotope deltas: Tiny, yet robust signatures in nature
Determination of the δ2H and δ18O of soil water and water in plant matter; RSIL lab code 1700
Determination of the δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbon in water; RSIL lab code 1710
USGS42 and USGS43: Human-hair stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopic reference materials and analytical methods for forensic science and implications for published measurement results
Improved online δ18O measurements of nitrogen‐ and sulfur‐bearing organic materials and a proposed analytical protocol
Investigation of preparation techniques for δ2H analysis of keratin materials and a proposed analytical protocol
The chronology for the d18O record from Devils Hole, Nevada, extended into the Mid-Holocene
*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