Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research (PCIGR) Earth and Ocean Sciences University of British Columbia

PCIGR 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.

Over 30 individual researchers are currently Participating Departments University of British Columbia Earth & Ocean Sciences Mining & Mineral Process Engineering Chemical & Biological Engineering Civil Engineering Soil Sciences Simon Fraser University Earth Sciences University of Victoria Earth & Ocean Sciences University of Alberta Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Over 30 individual researchers are currently involved in PCIGR

Total Investment in PCIGR = $3,789,500 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).

Why Develop New Mass Spectrometers? No Accuracy - No Precision Accurate - No Precision Precise - No Accuracy Precise AND Accurate!

What Contributes to the Best 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.) 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-MS A 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 Lab

Nu Plasma MC-ICP-MS 12 collectors ©2002 UBC Science; B. Law, J. Walton, Hot Digital Dog Studios. 12 collectors

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

Nu Plasma Computer Screen and Peak Shapes

Nu Plasma Schematic

Nu Plasma zoom lens (adjusting the isotopes into the right cup) collector schematic

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS) Applications: High precision Sr, Nd, Os isotopic analyses High precision conventional U-Pb age determinations

Overview of the Triton Lab

Triton TIMS 21 samples per barrel Fully automated computer control

The Geometry of the Triton `

The Multi-Collector Assembly Variable in position Variable in detector type (Faraday/MIC) Positioning (<10m) by in-situ position readout 17% relative mass range (6Li and 7Li static)

The Virtual Amplifier L4 L3 L2 L1 C H1 H2 H3 H4 Measurement channels Faraday Cups L4 L3 L2 L1 C H1 H2 H3 H4 V F Relay Matrix relay open relay closed 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Measurement channels Amplifier and V/F converter evacuated and temperature controlled housing

Single Collector Mass Spectrometer Still running after 20 years U-Pb geochronology (zircon, monazite)

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION 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

Finnigan Delta Plus XL Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometry

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION Laser-Equipped Noble Gas Mass Spectrometer Applications: Ar-Ar dating Laser Ar-Ar dating (U, Th)-He dating (planned)

Micromass 5400: Noble Gas Mass Spectrometer Extraction & gas clean-up line

Micromass 5400: Noble Gas Mass Spectrometer CO2 laser coupled to the Ar line

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION 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

Finnigan Element2 HR-ICP-MS Unlike the others, this one came in one single box!

Overview of the Element2 Lab

Clean Chemistry Laboratory

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

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

PCIGR is moving Completion date: November 2004 ! 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 Two exhaust lam one one + a perchloric flow hoods lam flow hood lam flow hoods Tracer Lab II U-Pb Lab Tracer Lab I Vestibule Each lab has also a vertical laminar flow recycled hood General prep area and cleaning Office space

PCIGR instrument lab in EOS main basement Triton TIMS Technical Room 2 Delta Plus XL Nu Plasma MC-ICP-MS Ar-Ar VG5400 Element II HR-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: 604-822.1697 James Scoates: 604-822.3667 Jane 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: 827.5002 TIMS:VG54: U-Pb geochronology Jim Mortensen: 604-822.6208 Richard Friedman: 604-822.6654 TIMS Geochron Lab: 822.6654 HR-ICP-MS: Element2: low concentration elemental analysis in solution. Bert Mueller: 604-822.2796 Kristin Orians: 604-822.6571 Wilma Pretorius: 604-822.1874 Lab: 822.9001 Stable isotope MS: Delta + XL: Light stable isotopes in select minerals, gases and liquids. Greg Dipple: 604-822.2624 Janet 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