GLY 320: Lab Techniques in Geology

Syllabus & Tentative Lab Schedule

 

Week

Topic

Equipment

1

 

Basic principles and objectives; safety measures; grand tour of the labs

 

1 & 2

 

Sample crushing, sieving and separation of minerals

Frantz Isodynamic separator

3, 4

 

Principles of X-ray Diffractometry

XRD

5

 

Analysis of aqueous solutions I:  Mixing & Dilution; Preparation of standards

ICP-AES

6

 

Analysis of aqueous solutions II:  Standard Addition techniques

ICP-AES

7

 

Analysis of aqueous solutions III: Trace amounts

GF-AAS

8

 

Chemistry of Natural waters: Cations & anions

Collection; filtration; acidification; pH meter; conductivity; spectrophotometers; Hach digital titrator and kits

9

 

Bulk chemical analysis of rock samples: major elements

Single solution method; muffle furnace; ICP-AES

10

 

Bulk chemical analysis of rock samples: trace elements

Acid digestion method; ICP-AES

11

 

Analysis of minerals in thin section: Principles & imaging

SEM

12

 

Analysis of minerals in thin section: quantitative analysis

SEM

13

 

Microthermometry of fluid inclusions

Linkam Stage

14

 

Other techniques (XRF, EPMA, ICP-MS).

Lecture only