Europlanet Distributed Research and Technology Infrastructure (RTI) Facility – VU Netherlands Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory (NIGeL)
Average visit: 10 days
Preferred timeframe for visits: April to December
The NIGeL facility comprises four multi-collector mass spectrometers, two Thermo Scientific TritonPlus & two MC-ICPMS (Neoma and Neoma MS-MS), two laser systems for in situ analyses, 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 laboratory manager 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. 1013 Ohm resistors on the Triton and Neptune can analyse as little as 1 ng,50pg and 250 pg of Sr-Nd-Pb respectively [1, 2] opening up pioneering research directions ; e.g. individual melt inclusions in olivine [3] or diamond [4] and dust from Antarctic ice cores [5].
Much of the ground-breaking research relies on detailed sample characterisation and innovative sampling methodologies, e.g. laser ablation, micro- drilling, polishing for fluid-melt inclusion characterisation and the ability to use portable laser ablation sampling prior to conventional Pb-Sr-Nd isotope analysis.
Additional capabilities include undertaking High Pressure – High Temperature experimental petrology experiments coupled with isotope geochemistry.
On-going research focuses on planetary differentiation processes, early Earth environments, magma chamber or sub-lithosphere processes and the application of isotope geochemistry in archaeology-art-forensic-ecology etc.
Contact
You must get in touch with the host facility to discuss the technical feasibility of your proposal before submitting an application.
Janne Koornneef, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1100, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, Netherlands. j.m.koornneef@vu.nl.
Images
Publications
- Koornneef, J.M., Bouman, C., Schwieters, J.B., Davies, G.R. (2014) Measurement of small ion beams by thermal ionisation mass spectrometry using new 10¹³ Ohm resistors. Analytica Chimica Acta, 819, 49-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2014.02.007
- Koornneef, J.M., Nikogosian, I., van Bergen, M.J., Vroon, P.Z., Davies, G.R., (2019). Ancient recycled lower crust in the mantle source of recent Italian magmatism. Nature Communications 10 (1), 3237. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-11072-5
- D’Imporzano, P., Keune, K., Koornneef, J.M., Hermens, E., Noble, P., Vandivere, A.L.S., Davies, G.R., 2021. Time-dependent variation of lead isotopes of lead white in 17th century Dutch paintings. Science Advances 7, eabi5905. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abi5905
- Weiss, Y., Guadaño, G., Koornneef, J.M., Kempe, Y., Tirosh, O., & Davies, G.R. (2025). Second generation ‘diamond-in-water’ ablation – a step forward in trace element and isotopic composition analysis. Mineralogy and Petrology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-025-00896-3
- Bracco Gartner, A. J. J., Nikogosian, I. K., Aartsen, J. M., Karlas, E. L., Davies, G. R., & Koornneef, J.M. (2025). Orogenic lamproites from Italy formed by mixing of highly potassic and shoshonitic melts. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 654, 119228, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119228
