Stable Isotope Geochemistry Lab (Dr. Chris Romanek)

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Kentucky is nearing completion of the establishment of a state-of-the-art stable isotope geochemistry lab that contains four isotope ratio mass spectrometers (Finnigan Delta and MAT253) with associated peripheral devices (EA, TC/EA, Gasbench, GC-C, dual inlet) for the elemental and isotope analysis (H, C, O, N, S, Cl) of solids, liquids and gases; four cavity ring down spectroscopy systems (Picarro) for the real-time in situ analysis of the chemical and isotope composition of trace atmospheric gases (CH4, NH3, CO2, H2O); a thermogravimetric (TGA/DSC) analyzer - mass spectrometer system (Netzsch) for the characterization of crystalline and amorphous materials; a GC-MS (Varian) equipped with a pyro-probe for the chemical separation and identification of non-volatile and volatile constituents; and associated equipment for the preparation of samples for elemental and stable isotope analysis (e.g., computer driven micro-drill; various petrographic microscopes with CL and epi-fluorescence capabilities; cryogenic grinders; auto-titrators; rotary evaporators; freeze driers; various centrifuges; organics and inorganics laminar flow hoods; autoclave; incubators; ultra-cold storage; micro-balances; and other ancillary wet chemistry equipment).

Other Departmental geochemical and mineralogical facilities:

• Upgraded Cameca SX-50 electron microprobe (Dr. Dave Moecher)
• Automated Rigaku X-ray diffractometer (Dr. Dave Moecher)
• Fluid inclusion laboratory
  The Fluid inclusion laboratory consists of a U.S.G.S. heating-cooling stage mounted on a Leitz microscope with digital camera attachment and video monitor. Temperatures are calibrated using experimental standards. 

Geophysics facilities:

• the University of Kentucky Digital Seismic Network, including a regional strong-motion and seismic monitoring network (comprised of 15 short/intermediate period seismometers and 10 strong-motion accelerometers), concentrated on the New Madrid Seismic Zone (Dr. Zhenming Wang).
• the UK Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Seismic Lab including equipment for near-surface exploration and engineering seismology (Dr. Ed Woolery).
• the UK Geophysics Lab includes gravity, magnetic, frequency domain electromagnetic equipment and software for regional, near-surface environmental, and archaeological investigations (Dr. Dhananjay Ravat).

Additional facilities:

• general wet chemistry laboratories
• rock-cutting facilities
• computer mapping and image processing laboratories
• UK's HP Exemplar supercomputing facilities
• student microcomputer laboratory with networked PCs and Macs
• field vehicles
• the Sciences Library