We measure trace and minor element element concentrations in biogenic carbonates, including foraminifera, corals, and ostracods,Ìýto reconstruct past climates.ÌýThese and other sample types are welcomed. Our main analytical tool is a Thermo Finnigan Element2 magnetic sector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS).
Tom Marchitto
Director
Lennart van Maldegem
Lab manager
Skye Fernandez
Graduate Student
Trish Tellez
MS Student
Haikal Bakar
Undergrad
Danny Schmiegel
Undergrad
Jazmin Schwab
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Services
Lab room:ÌýSEEL 118B
Foraminifera and other carbonates
This is our specialty. Routine analysis includes Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, Cd/Ca, Zn/Ca, Ba/Ca, Li/Ca, B/Ca, U/Ca, Mn/Ca, Al/Ca, and Fe/Ca, but additional elements are also possible. Foraminiferal samples can either be sent pre-cleaned or they can be cleaned here at additional cost. Our routine cleaning includes both reductive (hydrazine) and oxidative (peroxide) steps, but oxidation-only cleaning is an option. We also offer a robust oxidation-only method for individual foram Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca analysis (IFA). Costs for carbonates are on a per-sample basis. Contact Tom Marchitto for details
Other sample types
We welcome inquiries about other sample types. If you can dissolve it, we can probably analyze it. Generally speaking, ICP-MS is well-suited for trace abundances of elements (sub-ppm in solution). Higher concentrations can be diluted to be within our working range, but in that case another method like ICP-OES may be more appropriate and less expensive. See this periodic table of theoretical detection limits to see whether ICP-MS is right for your application.
Our ICP-MS
Our main analytical tool is a Thermo Finnigan Element2 magnetic sector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS).
Our clean room
Our facility includes a Class 1000 clean room for sample preparation. Here is a view looking from the clean room toward the instrument room.
Publications
Publications for Marchitto are included below