TA2 Facility 1 – VU Geology and Geochemistry radiogenic and non-traditional stable Isotope Facility (GGIF)
Average visit: 2 weeks
The GGIF facility comprises three multi-collector mass spectrometers, FinniganMat 262 RPQ plus, ThermoFinnigan TritonPlus & MC-ICPMS (Neptune), plus sample characterisation, mineral separation, sample preparation, fluid inclusion heating-freezing stages, Raman microscope, scanning electron microscope, electron microprobe and dedicated clean labs for elemental separation etc).
The facility is supported by a chemist and electronic and vacuum engineers. “Routine” analytical approaches include Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf-Si-Fe-Li-B isotope analyses and laser ablation Hf isotope determinations in minor phases such as zircon and high precision isotopic analyses of the extinct system 146Sm-142Nd. 1013 Ohm resistors on the Triton and Neptune can analyse as little as 10 pg of Sr-Nd-Pb, opening up totally new research directions [Koornneef et al. 2014]; e.g. individual melt inclusions in olivine and dust from Antarctic ice cores.
The Triton has 6 ion counters enabling multi-detector ion counting determination of small beams (e.g. Os, U-Series).
Much of the ground-breaking research relies on detailed sample characterisation and innovative sampling methodologies, e.g. micro- drilling, polishing for fluid-melt inclusion characterisation and the ability to use in situ laser ablation sampling prior to conventional Pb-Sr-Nd isotope analysis.
Additional capabilities include undertaking HP-HT experimental petrology experiments (TA2.2) coupled with isotope geochemistry.
On-going research focuses on planetary differentiation processes, early Earth environments, magma chamber processes and the application of isotope geochemistry in archaeology-art-forensic-ecology etc.
Koornneef JM, Bouman C, Schwieters JB, Davies GR (2014). Analytica Chimica Acta, 819, 49-55.
Contact:
Gareth R. Davies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands. g.r.davies@vu.nl
![TA 2.1: Users at the Geology and Geochemistry radiogenic and non-traditional stable Isotope Facility, VU Amsterdam.](https://www.europlanet-society.org/wp-content/uploads/cache/2020/02/VUIsotope3-scaled/3743066890.jpg)
![TA 2.1: Triton Plus (at VU Amserdam GGIF) with state-of-the-art collection system allowing the precise analysis of extremely small sample size (> 10pg Sr-Nd-Pb).](https://www.europlanet-society.org/wp-content/uploads/cache/2020/02/VUIsotope/2055868623.png)
![The rate limiting aspect of the GGIF at VU Amsterdam is cleanliness of the chemical preparation in the clean lab.](https://www.europlanet-society.org/wp-content/uploads/cache/2020/02/VUIsotope2/2408615156.png)
![Miniaturised chromatographic columns (below) have been developed at VU Amserdam GGIF to limit the blank contribution.](https://www.europlanet-society.org/wp-content/uploads/cache/2020/02/VUIsotope4/48416766.png)
![TA2.1: Recent high profile research conducted in the laboratory included the analysis of diamond inclusions: 1 cm wide polished central plate from a Jwaneng diamond. The inclusions were liberated and dated using the Sm-Nd method.](https://www.europlanet-society.org/wp-content/uploads/cache/2020/02/VUIsotope5/1001147365.png)
![TA2.1: Recent high profile research conducted in the laboratory included the validation of the analysis of fluid inclusions (Fluid and gas inclusions in quartz shown here).](https://www.europlanet-society.org/wp-content/uploads/cache/2020/02/VUIsotope6/1887428552.png)
![TA 2.1: A portable laser ablation system in the GGIF at VU Amsterdam allows sampling in situ onto Teflon filters.](https://www.europlanet-society.org/wp-content/uploads/cache/2020/02/VUIsotope7/1227969491.png)
![TA2.1: Recent high profile research conducted in the laboratory included the analysis of diamond inclusions: 1 cm wide polished central plate from a Jwaneng diamond. The inclusions were liberated and dated using the Sm-Nd method.](https://www.europlanet-society.org/wp-content/uploads/cache/2020/02/VUHP6/1628629370.png)
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