EarthBank Node | The University of Western Australia

High-precision geochemical analysis and data integration powering Australia’s Earth science research

Analytical laboratory of ICPMS platform at The University of Western Australia. The ICPMS platform houses multiple laser ablation and ICPMS systems. Image: Aleksey Sadekov

About Us

The University of Western Australia (UWA) Node of the AuScope EarthBank Project hosts an array of participating analytical equipment administered by the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis (CMCA). These facilities are staffed by geochemists who are experts in both high-resolution in situ isotopic and geochemical analysis as well as high-precision solution-based analyses. The array of analytical equipment available through the UWA EarthBank Node offers full sample characterization, from cutting-edge imaging methods to high-precision geochemical results, down to the nanometer scale.

The large geometry Cameca 1280 SIMS is part SIMS platform at The University of Western Australia. The Cameca 1280 is able to measure isotope compositions at very high spatial resolution, allowing scientists the ability to examine Earth materials at the micron scale. Image: Laure Martin

Overview

The UWA EarthBank Node houses analytical equipment divided across three platforms, each staffed by dedicated expert analysts and scientists. The SIMS platform houses a large geometry Cameca 1280 SIMS used primarily for the analysis of light stable isotope systems (e.g., O, Si, S) and U-Pb geochronology. The EPMA platform houses two JEOL electron microprobes primarily used for the high spatial resolution elemental analyses of major and minor elements and for elemental maps. The ICPMS platform has several ICP mass spectrometers as well as low-blank clean lab (class 100) and conducts analyses either in solution mode or using one of two laser 193nm ArF ablation systems (nanosecond pulse widths). The ICPMS lab routinely does trace element analyses, along with U-Pb geochronology, using the sector field Element XR ICPMS. Higher precision in situ isotope analyses for Sr, Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd, Pb-Pb as well as several stable isotope systems (e.g., B, Mg) are performed using a Neptune Plus or Nu Plasma II MC-ICPMS. A wide range of high precision isotope routines are available including Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd by isotope dilution.

The EPMA platform at UWA houses two electron microprobes, a JEOL 8350F and a JEOL 8350F Plus, used for mineral mapping and quantitative geochemical analysis of major, minor and trace elements.

The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia.

Provides world-class geochemical analytical and characterisation capabilities, EarthBank data integration, along with support and expert training for researchers across the Earth Sciences.

Facilities are open to Researchers, HDR Students, and Domestic and International visitors

Links (website, socials)

ICPMS LAB- https://www.uwa.edu.au/cmca/microscopy-and-analysis/icp-ms

LG-SIMS LAB- https://www.uwa.edu.au/cmca/microscopy-and-analysis/lg-sims

Nano-SIMS LAB- https://www.uwa.edu.au/cmca/microscopy-and-analysis/nanosims

UWA SEO Linked In---https://au.linkedin.com/company/uwa-earth-sciences

UWA CMCA Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/company/centre-for-microscopy-characterisation-and-analysis-cmca

UWA - Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis

“The excitement of EarthBank is not only in linking the sophisticated geochemical infrastructure available at different nodes around Australia with new capabilities in data analytics, but also in fostering the development of the next generation of geochemistry researchers skilled in geo-data science.” – Tony Kemp, Node Leader

What we do

ICPMS Platform

LA-MC-ICPMS (radiogenic isotopes): Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd, Sr, U-Pb, Pb-Pb
LA-MC-ICPMS (stable isotopes): Li, B, Mg, S, Th-U
LA-ICPMS: U-Pb geochronology, and Trace Elements
LA-QQQ-ICPMS: Rb-Sr geochronology
ID-MC-ICPMS: Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, (Lu-Hf in development)
Solution-MC-ICPMS: Li, B, Mg, Sr, Hg, Pb

SIMS Platform

The LG-SIMS (Cameca IMS 1280): U-Pb geochronology, Pb-Pb, U, Stable isotopes: Li, O, C, S, Si
NanoSIMS: high spatial resolution imaging of isotopes or elements distribution.