Radiogenic and non-traditional stable isotope geochemistry laboratory

ICP

Director : Daniele Pinti
Lab manager : André Poirier
Technician : Julien Gogot

Contact : poirier.andre@uqam.ca 
Ph. : 514-987-3000 ext. 1718 
Fax : 514-987-3635

Address:

Geotop-UQAM 
201 Président-Kennedy Ave., 7th floor 
Montréal, QC
H2X 3Y7
Canada

IMPORTANT

Safety in our working environment and in our laboratories is of utmost importance. For this reason, the following basic rules must be followed by all users:

  • WHMIS training on laboratory safety is mandatory for all users to access the laboratories.
  • Training specific to the handling of hydrofluoric acid (HF) is mandatory for anyone using this product.
  • Personal protective equipment must be worn when handling hazardous materials.
  • The transportation of hazardous materials between laboratories through corridors must be done in a manner that is safe for everyone at Geotop.
  • The use of common instrumentation must be done adequately in order to limit the risks of damage.
  • Any new analytical protocol (or change to old protocols) must be validated by the laboratory manager.
  • Any training of new users must be done through the official laboratory managers.
  • The following rooms are part of the Non-Traditional and Radiogenic Stable Isotope Laboratory: PK-7280, PK-7323, PK-7324, PK-7380, PK-7390, PK-7453, PK-7480, PK-7482, PK-7753, PK-7755, PK-7758, PK-7760, PK-7765, PK-7770, PK-7780, PK-7928, CB-S2420, CB-S2425, CB-S2435, CB-S2445.

Access to the laboratories may be revoked for any user who does not comply with the above guidelines.

The following mineral dating and isotopic signature methods are used in the laboratory: Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf, Re-Os, Pb-Pb and U-Th-Pb. Instrumentation comprises magnetic sector mass spectrometers, in which ionization is made by vacuum heating (TIMS) or by inductively coupled plasma (magnetic sector ICP-MS).

Along with the spectrometers, a complete sample preparation infrastructure is available at Geotop (saws, grinders, shaking table, etc.). Binocular microscopes, magnetic separators (Franz), heavy liquids, high-temperature ovens and class 100 laboratories (including 4 clean rooms dedicated to different purposes) allow recovering rock minerals, digesting them and purifying chemical elements of interest from the matrix.