Laboratory Details

Andalchron

Andalchron is a platform of advanced analytical services in petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology including: • The advanced petrological, microstructural, and chemical characterization of geological materials —including automatic particle characterization— by electron microscopy, micro-Raman, and micro-FTIR. • In situ U-Th-Pb geochronology by LA-ICP-MS of accessory minerals (zircon, monazite, rutile, titanite, etc.) in petrographic thin sections and mounts of mineral separates. • In situ analysis and imaging of trace elements of minerals in petrographic thin sections and mounts by LA-ICP-MS. • Analysis of radiogenic isotopes (Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf) in geological materials by MC-ICP-MS. The instruments available for microstructural characterization includes EDS-EBSD-CL-BSE Scanning Electron Microscope, and micro-Raman and micro-FTIR microscopes. For geochemical and geochronological services, Andalchron is equipped with an Agilent 8800 ICP-MS/MS linked to a CETAC G2 Analyte 193 laser ablation system with double-cup ablation cell. A MC-ICP-MS for the analysis of radiogenic (Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf) and non-conventional stable isotopes will be installed in 2019. Andalchron also hosts a suite of metal-free clean laboratories for the preparation of geological samples for isotope geochemistry and trace element analyses –class 100–10000 laboratory spaces— including a 95 m2 ultra-clean lab with full fume cupboards and six metal-free class 100 laminar flow clean cabinets for the chromatographic extraction, purification of chemical elements before isotopic measurements by MC-ICP-MS, and distillation of acids. Andalchron also hosts laboratories equipped perchloric-acid hood for ultra-clean acid digestion of geological materials. Andalchron is located in the Andalusian Institute of Earth Science (CSIC-IACT, Granada, Spain) and managed by the Petrology and Geochemistry department. For further information, contact the laboratory or visit the Andalchron webpage (www.andalchron.eu).