Europlanet Transnational Access (TA) Facility – VU Netherlands Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory (NIGeL)
Average visit: 2 weeks
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.
- Koornneef et al. (2014) Analytica Chimica Acta, 819, 49-55
- Klaver et al. (2016) JAAS 31 171-178
- Koornneef et al. (2019) Nature Communications 10, 3237
- Koornneef et al. (2017) Nature Communications 8, 648
- Aarons et al. (2016) EPSL, 444, 34-44
Contact:
Janne Koornneef, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1100, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, Netherlands. j.m.koornneef@vu.nl.
You must get in touch with the host facility to discuss the technical feasibility of your proposal before submitting an application.
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