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 guidelines for δ13C measurements
Determination of the δ15N of total nitrogen in solids; RSIL lab code 2893
Determination of the δ15N and δ13C of total nitrogen and carbon in solids; RSIL lab code 1832
Occurrence of selected pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical compounds, and stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios, in a riverbank filtration study, Platte River, Nebraska, 2001 to 2003, Volume 1
Investigating surface water-well interaction using stable isotope ratios of water
Using dual-bacterial denitrification to improve δ15N determinations of nitrates containing mass-independent 17O
Oxygen isotopes in nitrate: New reference materials for 18O:17O:16O measurements and observations on nitrate-water equilibration
Evaluation of the 34S/32S ratio of Soufre de Lacq elemental sulfur isotopic reference material by continuous flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry
Two new organic reference materials for δ13C and δ15N measurements and a new value for the δ13C of NBS 22 oil
Compilation of minimum and maximum isotope ratios of selected elements in naturally occurring terrestrial materials and reagents
Distribution of oxygen-18 and deuteriun in river waters across the United States
Atomic weights of the elements 1999
Science and Products
New guidelines for δ13C measurements
Determination of the δ15N of total nitrogen in solids; RSIL lab code 2893
Determination of the δ15N and δ13C of total nitrogen and carbon in solids; RSIL lab code 1832
Occurrence of selected pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical compounds, and stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios, in a riverbank filtration study, Platte River, Nebraska, 2001 to 2003, Volume 1
Investigating surface water-well interaction using stable isotope ratios of water
Using dual-bacterial denitrification to improve δ15N determinations of nitrates containing mass-independent 17O
Oxygen isotopes in nitrate: New reference materials for 18O:17O:16O measurements and observations on nitrate-water equilibration
Evaluation of the 34S/32S ratio of Soufre de Lacq elemental sulfur isotopic reference material by continuous flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry
Two new organic reference materials for δ13C and δ15N measurements and a new value for the δ13C of NBS 22 oil
Compilation of minimum and maximum isotope ratios of selected elements in naturally occurring terrestrial materials and reagents
Distribution of oxygen-18 and deuteriun in river waters across the United States
Atomic weights of the elements 1999
*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