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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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).

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

8. 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!

9. 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, …)

10. 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).

12. Overview of the Nu Plasma Lab

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

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

15. Nu Plasma Computer Screen and Peak Shapes

16. Nu Plasma Schematic

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

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

20. Overview of the Triton Lab

21. Triton TIMS
21 samples per barrel
Fully automated
computer control

22. The Geometry of the Triton`

23. 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)

24. 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

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

26. 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

27. Finnigan Delta Plus XL Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometry

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

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

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

31. 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

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

33. Overview of the Element2 Lab

34. Clean Chemistry Laboratory

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

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

37. 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 rooms for the Nu Plasma, the Triton and the Element II.
Completion date: November 2004 !

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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.

41. Where to Find Us?
MC-ICP-MS: Nu Plasma: Radiogenic isotope ratios and heavy stable isotopes.
Dominique Weis:
James Scoates:
Jane Barling:
TIMS: Triton: Isotope ratios of radiogenic systems: U-Pb, Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd.
Dominique Weis, Bruno Kieffer
TIMS & MS-ICP-MS Lab:
TIMS:VG54: U-Pb geochronology
Jim Mortensen:
Richard Friedman:
TIMS Geochron Lab:
HR-ICP-MS: Element2: low concentration elemental analysis in solution.
Bert Mueller:
Kristin Orians:
Wilma Pretorius:
Lab:
Stable isotope MS: Delta + XL: Light stable isotopes in select minerals, gases and liquids.
Greg Dipple:
Janet Gabites:
Noble gas MS: VG5400: Ar-Ar dating, U-Th-He dating.
Jim Mortensen, Tom Ullrich:
Stable Isotope Lab: