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
An interlaboratory study to test instrument performance of hydrogen dual-inlet isotope-ratio mass spectrometers
Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios for selected sites of the U.S. Geological Survey's NASQAN and benchmark surface-water networks
Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios for selected sites of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atmospheric Integrated Research Monitoring Network (AIRMoN)
A guide for the laboratory information management system (LIMS) for light stable isotopes--Versions 7 and 8
Chemical and isotopic composition of water from springs, wells, and streams in parts of Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, and vicinity, 1995-1999
Sources and haloacetic acid/trihalomethane formation potentials of aquatic humic substances in the Wakarusa River and Clinton Lake near Lawrence, Kansas
Methods for collection of dissolved sulfate and sulfide and analysis of their sulfur isotopic composition
The relative contributions of summer and cool-season precipitation to groundwater recharge, Spring Mountains, Nevada, USA
A manual for a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for light stable isotopes
Comparison of two stable hydrogen isotope-ratio measurement techniques on Antarctic surface-water and ice samples
Use of chemical and isotopic tracers to characterize the interactions between ground water and surface water in mantled karst
Data from Devils Hole Core DH-11
Science and Products
An interlaboratory study to test instrument performance of hydrogen dual-inlet isotope-ratio mass spectrometers
Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios for selected sites of the U.S. Geological Survey's NASQAN and benchmark surface-water networks
Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios for selected sites of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atmospheric Integrated Research Monitoring Network (AIRMoN)
A guide for the laboratory information management system (LIMS) for light stable isotopes--Versions 7 and 8
Chemical and isotopic composition of water from springs, wells, and streams in parts of Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, and vicinity, 1995-1999
Sources and haloacetic acid/trihalomethane formation potentials of aquatic humic substances in the Wakarusa River and Clinton Lake near Lawrence, Kansas
Methods for collection of dissolved sulfate and sulfide and analysis of their sulfur isotopic composition
The relative contributions of summer and cool-season precipitation to groundwater recharge, Spring Mountains, Nevada, USA
A manual for a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for light stable isotopes
Comparison of two stable hydrogen isotope-ratio measurement techniques on Antarctic surface-water and ice samples
Use of chemical and isotopic tracers to characterize the interactions between ground water and surface water in mantled karst
Data from Devils Hole Core DH-11
*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