Laboratories

 

Cathodoluminescence

Cathodoluminescence, a type of luminescence whose excitation energy is provided by electron bombardment, is useful for studying the distribution of trace elements in minerals like calcite and quartz, which can reveal information about zoning and fabrics. The department has a MAAS/Nuclide Luminoscope stage for the study of cathodoluminescence. Located in 303B Kell Hall.

Clay Mineralogy

Clay mineralogy research is conducted in the Clay Minerals Laboratory which contains the necessary equipment for the separation of clay minerals from rocks and soils (ovens, centrifuges, de-ionized water, glass ware and reagents). Soil augers, color charts and pH test equipment are also housed in this lab. Located in 308A Kell Hall.

Fluid Inclusions

The Fluid Inclusion Laboratory supports the study of fluid inclusions in minerals.  The lab houses a Fliud Inc. modified USGS gas-flow heating and freezing microscope stage, a spindle stage and several research grade petrographic microscopes. There is also a low speed diamond saw and a polishing lap for preparing fluid inclusion mounts. Located in 394 Kell Hall.

Geochemistry

Some standalone geochemistry research is carried out in the Geochemistry Laboratory, but the lab is used most commonly for activities that support other labs.  The sample preparation for XRF and XRD are carried out in this lab, as well as some mineral separations and simple digestions.  The lab has a sink, a small fume hood, a high-temperature (1,800oC) furnace, Pt-Au rock fusion equipment, ovens, Franz magnetic separator, precision balances, glass ware, and a hydraulic press.  This lab is also used for sample layout. Located in room 382 Kell Hall.

Geospatial Laboratories

Geospatial Laboratories Website: http://geospatial.gsu.edu

Georgia State University's Geospatial Laboratories focuses on research and education with regards to statistical and spatial analysis, geographic information, and scientific visualization. The instructional lab is primarily used for synchronous instruction while the research lab is utilized by faculty and students for independent learning, to conduct research and analysis, and to create maps, presentations, and other materials. The labs are located within the Department of Geosciences in 365 Sparks Hall.

The University maintains site licenses supporting the following programs: ArcGIS Desktop, ERDAS Imagine, Leica Photogrammetry Suite, and SPSS which is accessible from all workstations. Reference, training materials, spatial and statistical data are accessible to each workstation on the network.

The instructional lab is primarily used for synchronous instruction while the research lab is utilized by both faculty and students for independent learning, conduct research and analysis, and to create maps, presentations, and other materials. The research lab also provides limited consultation/services with regards to geographic analysis and/or cartographic production (fees may apply). For more information contact the GIS Coordinator at 404-413-5778.


Hydrogeochemistry

The Hydrogeochemistry Laboratory is a full service wet laboratory which interacts closely with the Clay Minerals Laboratory and ICPMS Laboratory.  The primary focus of this lab involves the major ion analysis of natural water (particularly surface water and ground water). The laboratory is also used for sediment-water interaction experiments (i.e. adsorption and desorption experimentation). Equipment includes a Perkin-Elmer 3110 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer for the analysis of cations and a Lachat 5000 Ion Chromatograph for the analysis of anions. Software packages include Aquachem, ArcView GIS for Georgia, Flowpath, and AquiferTest. Located in 305 Kell Hall.

LA-ICPMS

The Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS) Lab has as its centerpiece a Thermoelectron Element2 mass spectrometer, a high resolution instrument capable of trace element analyses down to the sub-ppb level. Samples in solution are introduced either through a spray chamber or an Apex desolvating nebulizer. The lab also has a New Wave UP-213 laser ablation system for solid samples. The sample preparation lab is equipped for whole-rock digestions and column separations using ion exchange resins. We are also capable of handling organic samples. The ICPMS lab does trace element analysis for the Dept. of Geosciences as well as outside users. We have done analyses of whole rock, sediments, water, proteins, glass, paint, and acheological artifacts. We can do any of the standard analysis procedures (isotope dilution, standard addition, external standard, semiquantitative), depending on the needs of the user.  Located in 613 Kell Hall.

Petrology/Petrography

Petrographic research is conducted in the Petrology Lab, supported by research optical microscopes and, a research scope dedicated to photomicrography, fitted with a SCION camera that is connected to a computer.  The computer is loaded with Adobe Photoshop and other photo handling software and is connected to a Canon photo printer.  Also in the lab is an Abbe refractometer, an automatic stage for point counting, and a PetroScope.  Located in 303B Kell Hall

Rock Deformation

Experimental rock deformation and modeling is carried out in the Rock Deformation Lab.  Equipment in the lab includes a Griggs apparatus, a small machine shop, an argon ion mill and several workstations running MSC. MARC/ Mentat finite element software. The Griggs apparatus, which is a modified piston-cylinder rock deformation apparatus, is currently being renovated and will be capable of 15 Kb confining pressure and 1500o C when the renovations are finished. The machine shop includes a mill/drill with rock coring capability, a lathe and all the tools needed to fabricate metal parts as well as high pressure sample assembly parts. The Argon ion mill is used to thin 3mm foils made from mineral grains for examination in with a transmission electron microscope. We use finite element modeling to investigate the stresses and strains around fluid inclusions caused by differential thermal expansion and also to investigate the stresses caused by solid state phase transformations that involve a volume change.  Located in 336 Kell Hall.

Rock Preparation

The rock preparation laboratory contains a variety of equipment for producing thin sections and rock powders for chemical analysis. There are both large and small rock saws, grinding and polishing laps, and thin section cutoff and grinding machines, as well as jaw crushers for breaking up rocks and Spex shatter boxes with tungsten carbide, hardened steel, and ceramic vessels. Located in 320 Kell Hall.

Sedimentology

The Sedimentology includes a Micromeritics Sedigraph 5100, a UIC Coulometer, and a RoTap. The laboratory maintains 2 research microscopes and a Macintosh G4 PC. Research activities include analysis of planktonic and benthic foraminifera assemblages, grain size and sedimentary texture, and biogenic sediment geochemistry (CaCO3, Organic Carbon, Opal).  Located in 306 Kell Hall.

Scanning Electron Microscope Laboratory

The SEM Laboratory houses a Hatachi S-2500 Scanning Electron Microscope which was donated to the geology program in 2004 by IMPERYS (www.imerys.com) to benefit instruction and research in mineralogy by students and faculty members in geology.  This SEM is capable of imaging at high magnification (12,000x) to permit identification of a wide variety of inorganic materials (nannofossils, oxides, phyllosilicates). Located in 380 Kell Hall.

X-Ray Diffraction

X-ray diffraction research is conducted using a Philips X-ray Diffractometer which has been updated with the MDI Databox for computer control and acquisition of diffraction data. This XRD is used primarily for the analysis of clay minerals and crushed powders of rocks and minerals.  Located in 380 Kell Hall.

X-Ray Fluorescence

Whole rock analyses are obtained by X-Ray fluorescence spectroscopy, using a Rigaku 3270 wavelength-dispersive spectrometer with a 60 kilowatt generator and Rh X-ray tube. The instrument is supported by the sample preparation facilities in the Geochemistry Lab (see above).  The spectrometer is capable of analysing rocks for major, minor, and selected trace elements. This lab, in conjunction with the ICPMS lab, enable faculty and students to obtain superior analyses of almost any element in rocks. Located in 384A Kell Hall