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
Unnatural isotopic composition of lithium reagents
A manual for a laboratory information management system (LIMS) for light stable isotopes
Duration and structure of the past four interglaciations
Investigation of methane production and consumption by use of stable isotopes
Methane production and consumption monitored by stable H and C isotope ratios at a crude oil spill site, Bemidji, Minnesota
Interlaboratory comparison of reference materials for nitrogen-isotope-ratio measurements
No verification for Milankovitch
500,000-year stable carbon isotopic record from Devils Hole, Nevada
1993 Table of standard atomic weights abridged to five significant figures
An improved technique for the 2H/1H analysis of urines from diabetic volunteers
Chlorofluorocarbons (CCl3F and CCl2F2) as dating tools and hydrologic tracers in shallow groundwater of the Delmarva Peninsula, Atlantic Coastal Plain, United States
Science and Products
Unnatural isotopic composition of lithium reagents
A manual for a laboratory information management system (LIMS) for light stable isotopes
Duration and structure of the past four interglaciations
Investigation of methane production and consumption by use of stable isotopes
Methane production and consumption monitored by stable H and C isotope ratios at a crude oil spill site, Bemidji, Minnesota
Interlaboratory comparison of reference materials for nitrogen-isotope-ratio measurements
No verification for Milankovitch
500,000-year stable carbon isotopic record from Devils Hole, Nevada
1993 Table of standard atomic weights abridged to five significant figures
An improved technique for the 2H/1H analysis of urines from diabetic volunteers
Chlorofluorocarbons (CCl3F and CCl2F2) as dating tools and hydrologic tracers in shallow groundwater of the Delmarva Peninsula, Atlantic Coastal Plain, United States
*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