Department of Geological Sciences Facilities - Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin

Aqueous Geochemistry

Characterizes the chemical properties of water and solids to support research in hydrogeology, geochemistry, and geomicrobiology. Equipment used: carbon analyzer (TC), Organic analysis Field and laboratory gas chromatographs, thermal desorber, high pressure liquid chromatographs, Inorganic analyses Ion chromatograph, autotitrator, field and lab spectrophotometers. BET sorptometer for N2, Ar, and Kr BET surface areas, and A microporosities, organic carbon analyzer.

Computational Facilities

The Department maintains state-of-the-art computing facilities for use in both teaching and research. These include centralized servers, a multimedia teaching classroom, undergraduate and graduate computer laboratories and specialized computing sites. Unix, PC and Mac platforms are maintained by three technical staff members.

Electron Probe Laboratory

Characterizes the chemistry of minerals on the micrometer scale and to image compositional variations.

Fission Track Thermochronology Laboratory

Provides routine analysis of fission tracks in apatite and zircon to constrain the low-temperature thermal-time (T-t) history of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.

Geomicrobiology Laboratories

Facilities for culturing and characterizing aerobic and anaerobic prokaryotes (Eubacteria and Archaeabacteria) using a Coy anaerobic chamber (H2/N2 atmosphere), Constant temperature waterbaths, autoclave, incubator, horizontal and vertical gel rigs, refrigerated centrifuge, UV light box, Thermalcycler, phase-contrast and fluorescent microscope. HPLC and GC facilities for degradation studies.

Geophysics Facilities

Landmark and Geoquest software is used for processing and interpreting 3 Dimensional Seismic Date.

High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Facility

Provides high resolution non-destructive, density maps of solid samples (rocks, fossils, etc) up to a maximum size of 50 cm diameter by 150 cm high (50 kg mass). Equipment: An industrial CT scanner that is an adaptation of medical CAT scanners.

ICP Mass Spectrometry Facility

To perform trace elemental and isotopic analysis. Equipment available: 2001 Acquisition Micromass IsoProbe Multi-Collector Hexapole ICP-MS, Micromass Platform Quadrupole ICP-MS, New Wave LUV213 Nd:YAG Laser Ablation system, Jobin Yvon ICP-OES upgraded with new RF generator and computer.

Isotope Clean Laboratory

This clean laboratory is for applications of radiogenic isotope and trace element analysis (including Sr and U-series isotopes and rare earth elements) as tracers and geochronometers in sedimentary and hydrogeologic systems. These analyses are in support of research to both internal and external collaborators (faculty, graduate students and researchers).

Petrographic Imaging Facilities

Micro-scale imaging of rocks using directly observed visible light. Equipment: Low-power stereo microscopes, high resolution low-magnification scanned imaging, transmitted and reflected cross-polarized microscopy, high resolution 3D light microscopy (Edge R400) UV-stimulated fluorescence microscopy, microscope-mounted CL Photomicrography systems for all of these methods, both digital (Polaroid DMC) and conventional film.

Scanning Electronic Microscope Laboratory

Provides secondary electron imaging, EDS analysis, and scanned cathodoluminescence imaging for a wide range of sample types. using a JEOL T330A SEM, installed 1990; Tracor EDS system (1292 pulse processor) and a Oxford PA-1 Cathodoluminescence (CL) detector, digital imaging and Energy Dispersive System acquisition.

Stable Isotope Laboratory

Analyses of natural abundance of isotopes of light elements (H,O,C,N) in a variety of samples representing a broad spectrum of the Earth Sciences. Equipment: Dual-inlet mass spectrometers: VG Prism II + VG SIRA 12 (with D/H capability) Micromass Multiprep on the Prism for automated water and carbonate analysis.

Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) Lab

Measures the isotopic compositions and elemental concentrations of Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf, U-Th-Pb, Li, B, Mg, K, Zr, and REE. Equipment: Seven-collector Finnigan-MAT 261 thermal ionization mass spectrometer (1987) A single-channel ion-counting systems.

U-PB Geochronology Laboratory

Provides precise, conventional U-Pb ages in support of research to both internal and external collaborators (faculty, graduate students and researchers). Equipment: clean laboratory, with 3 laminar-flow HEPA-filtered workstations and related equipment for ultra-clean chemical separation.

Walter Geology Library

The primary research collections of the library presently include more than 100,000 book and journal volumes and 46,000 geologic maps, among them the publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, most state geological surveys, and those of many foreign countries. Regional emphasis of the collection is on the Southwestern United States, Texas, and Mexico.

X-ray Diffraction Laboratory

Routine mineral identification by powder diffraction, especially for clay mineralogy using a Siemens D500 (donated by Mobil Exploration Co., 1992).