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Overview

The WSU GeoAnalytical Lab has been providing analyses of rocks and minerals to the geologic research community beginning in 1978 with a Philips PW1410 X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer. Milestones in the history of the lab include the acquisition of an electron microprobe in 1982, and the addition of automated X-ray diffraction and XRF spectrometers, plus an inductively coupled plasma-quadrupole mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) in 1986-87. In 1993 we acquired a light element mass spectrometer. The newest instruments in our lab, acquired in 2001-2003, include both high resolution and multicollector ICP-MS, and a state-of-the-art XRF. Our analytical capabilities include bulk rock and mineral elemental analyses for approximately 50 elements, and measurement of nearly any isotopic ratio. We have electron microbeam, microdrilling, and laser ablation sampling options for the analysis of major and trace element concentrations and isotopic ratios at the micro-scale (a few to tens of microns). Our preparation facilities include a large XRF and ICP-MS bead lab equipped with grinding media, including an agate planetary ball mill and tungsten carbide and steel ring mills, as well as a large high temperature furnace and diamond polishing equipment. Solutions for isotopic ratio measurements are extracted in a world class clean room built in 2002.