Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research

(PCIGR)

Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research

(PCIGR)

Earth and Ocean Sciences

University of British Columbia

PCIGRPCIGR

PCIGR is a unique facility that:

Comprises a fully integrated analytical research centre at UBC equipped with the most up-to-date analytical instrumentation available for isotopic and geochemical research.

Provides analytical support for researchers from the major western Canadian universities (esp. UBC, SFU, UVic, UAlberta) as well as various government agencies and the international research community.

Promotes multidisciplinary research in earth, environmental and natural sciences.

Participating Departments

University of British ColumbiaEarth & Ocean SciencesMining & Mineral Process EngineeringChemical & Biological EngineeringCivil EngineeringSoil Sciences

Simon Fraser UniversityEarth Sciences

University of VictoriaEarth & Ocean Sciences

University of AlbertaEarth & Atmospheric Sciences

Over 30 individual researchers are currentlyinvolved in PCIGR

FUNDING SOURCES

CANADIAN FOUNDATION FOR INNOVATION: $1,053,800

BRITISH COLUMBIA KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT FUND: $1,053,800

STUART BLUSSON FUND: $526,900

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Earth & Ocean Sciences, Faculty of Science, VP Research Office, Minor Capital Program): $805,000

Additional Contribution from CFI/BCKDF/Blusson Fund via CERM3 Project: $350,000

Total Investment in PCIGR = $3,789,500

OPERATIONAL PLAN: Funding

Annual operating costs of ~$650,000 UBC technical support (indirect costs):

One-time start-up funds

Operating funds to be obtained from: Internal user fees External user fees NSERC Major Facilities Operating Grant Fees for analyses done on a contract basis for

governmental agencies and industry.

OPERATIONAL PLAN: Management

Dominique Weis is the director of the facility.

A Steering Committee is responsible for long-term planning, new analytical development work, and hiring (meets approx. every two weeks).

A Users Committee oversees the day-to-day operation of the various labs and is responsible for scheduling (meets approx. every two weeks).

No Accuracy - No Precision Accurate - No Precision

Precise - No Accuracy Precise AND Accurate!

Why Develop New Mass Spectrometers?

What Contributes to theBest and Most Accurate Results?

40%: The Scientist, responsible for:Sample Collection, Chemistry, Sample Loading etc.

20%: The Operator of the MS, responsible for:Maintenance of the MS (Cleanness, electronics Performance, etc.)

20%: The Operator of the MS, responsible for:Filament Loading, Collector Setup, Analysis Parameter Setup, Final Data Evaluation

The Mass Spectrometer itself only contributes about 20% to the overall performance!

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION

Multi-Collector ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS)

Applications:

Isotopic compositions of radiogenic systems Nd, Hf, Pb

Isotopic compositions of heavy stable elements (including Li, Mo, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd, Mg, …)

Multicollector ICP-MSA New Tool for Earth Science Research

Advantages:

ICP-MS front-end allows virtually any element to be ionized very efficiently.

Multi-collector magnetic sector mass spectrometer back-end permits very rapid and precise measurement of isotopic ratios.

Design is compatible with using a laser ablation source for in situ analyses (U-Pb in zircons or monazites, or Nd & Sr analyses of feldspars or pyroxenes).

Overview of the Nu Plasma LabOverview of the Nu Plasma Lab

Nu PlasmaMC-ICP-MSNu PlasmaMC-ICP-MS

12 collectors

©2002 UBC Science; B. Law,J. Walton, Hot Digital Dog Studios.

Laminar Flow Hood for Solution Preparation for MC-ICP-MS Analyses

Laminar Flow Hood for Solution Preparation for MC-ICP-MS Analyses

Nu Plasma Computer Screen and Peak Shapes

Nu Plasma Computer Screen and Peak Shapes

Nu PlasmaSchematicNu PlasmaSchematic

Nu PlasmaNu Plasma

zoom lens

(adjusting the isotopes into the right cup)

collector schematic

Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS)

Applications:

High precision Sr, Nd, Os isotopic analyses

High precision conventional U-Pb age determinations

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION

Overview of the Triton LabOverview of the Triton Lab

Triton TIMS Triton TIMS

21 samples per barrel

Fully automatedcomputer control

`

The Geometry of the TritonThe Geometry of the Triton

The Multi-Collector Assembly Variable in position

Variable in detector type (Faraday/MIC)

Positioning (<10m) by in-situ position readout

17% relative mass range (6Li and 7Li static)

Faraday Cups

evacuated and temperature controlled housing

Amplifier and V/F converter

V FRelay Matrix

V F

V F

V F

V F

V F

V F

V F

V F

relay open relay closed

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

The Virtual AmplifierL4 L3 L2 L1 C H1 H2 H3 H4

Measurem

ent channels

Single Collector Mass Spectrometer Single Collector Mass Spectrometer

Still running after 20 yearsU-Pb geochronology (zircon, monazite)

Stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer

Potential applications:

H in minerals and fluids C in graphite, diamond, liquids, gases O in carbonate minerals, gases, liquids N in liquids, gases

Various accessories: gas bench, TCEA (thermo chemical element analyser), flash EA

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION

Finnigan Delta Plus XLStable Isotope Mass Spectrometry

Laser-Equipped Noble Gas Mass Spectrometer

Applications:

Ar-Ar dating

Laser Ar-Ar dating (U, Th)-He dating (planned)

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION

Micromass 5400: Noble Gas Mass Spectrometer

Extraction & gas clean-up line

Micromass 5400: Noble Gas Mass Spectrometer

CO2 laser coupled to the Ar line

High Resolution, Magnetic Sector ICP-MS (HR-ICP-MS)

Applications: High precision elemental analysis of essentially any element in solution at a sub-ppt level Measurement of selected elements in situ by laser ablation

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION

Finnigan Element2 HR-ICP-MS

Unlike the others, this one came in one single box!

Overview of the Element2 Lab

Clean Chemistry LaboratoryClean Chemistry Laboratory

Clean Chemistry LaboratoryClean Chemistry Laboratory

Requirements: Separation of elements on ion exchange columns Purification of acids by sub-boiling

Clean Chemistry LaboratoryClean Chemistry Laboratory

Requirements: Multiple passes on ion exchange columns Effective and timely management of lab supplies (reagents, etc.)

PCIGR is moving

Because of the seismic upgrade of the chemistry buildling, PCIGR labs are moving to the Earth and Ocean Sciences building:

Three class 1000, with laminar flow hoods (class <100), low-level trace metal laboratories are being build on the third floor of the EOS main building. Five new labs are being build for the instruments, in EOS main basement: class 10000 rooms for the Nu Plasma, the Triton and the Element II.

Completion date: November 2004 !

PCIGR low-level trace metal chem laboratories

Each lab has also a vertical laminar flow recycled hood

Tracer Lab II U-Pb Lab Tracer Lab IVestibule

Two exhaust lam one one + a perchloricflow hoods lam flow hood lam flow hoods

General prep areaand cleaning

Office space

PCIGR instrument lab in EOS main basement

Nu PlasmaMC-ICP-MS

2 DeltaPlus XL

TritonTIMS

Ar-ArVG5400

TechnicalRoom

Element IIHR-ICP-MS

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank: All of the people who helped us raise the money necessary to build this unique facility; All of the people involved in building the lab and who helped resolve installation problems with amazing patience; The EOS departmental staff for their constant help and support addressing numerous issues; The various mass spectrometer companies for their help in the setting up of the instruments and their participation in new developments.

Where to Find Us?MC-ICP-MS: Nu Plasma: Radiogenic isotope ratios and heavy stable isotopes.

Dominique Weis: 604-822.1697James Scoates: 604-822.3667Jane Barling: 604-827.5002

TIMS: Triton: Isotope ratios of radiogenic systems: U-Pb, Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd.Dominique Weis, Bruno Kieffer

TIMS & MS-ICP-MS Lab: 827.5002TIMS:VG54: U-Pb geochronology

Jim Mortensen: 604-822.6208Richard Friedman: 604-822.6654

TIMS Geochron Lab: 822.6654

HR-ICP-MS: Element2: low concentration elemental analysis in solution.Bert Mueller: 604-822.2796Kristin Orians: 604-822.6571Wilma Pretorius: 604-822.1874

Lab: 822.9001

Stable isotope MS: Delta + XL: Light stable isotopes in select minerals, gases and liquids. Greg Dipple: 604-822.2624Janet Gabites: 604-822.6654

Noble gas MS: VG5400: Ar-Ar dating, U-Th-He dating.Jim Mortensen, Tom Ullrich: 604-827.5008

Stable Isotope Lab: 827.5008