INCLUSION
Fingerprinting and quantifying CO2 storage in basaltic crust
The noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe) are unrivalled tracers of the role of ancient and modern fluids in the Earth system. In addition, the isotopic composition of He and Ne provide unique chronometric control on the evolution of the Earth surface and the uplift history of mountain ranges and sedimentary basins. The SUERC labs are equipped with state-of the-art magnetic sector and quadrupole mass spectrometers and an array of gas purification systems that allow high precision analysis of noble gases in gases, waters and minerals.
Get in touch: Prof Fin Stuart
Projects
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13 Oct
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13 Oct
Dissecting mantle plumes
Peering into the deep Earth beneath the Afar and Iceland -
13 Oct
The origin of unconventional giant helium deposits
How much helium could be present in the Witwatersrand helium deposits, and how did get there?
Techniques & Technologies
Natural Gas Laboratory
Quadrupole mass spectrometer (Prisma QMS200), magnetic sector mass spectrometer (MAP 215-50) and dedicated gas purification system
Analysis of the major gas (CO2, CH4 & heavy hydrocarbons) and noble gas isotopes in gas and water samples:
- Fingerprinting injected and produced gases in Carbon Capture and Storage projects.
- Origin and interaction history of natural gases, e.g. helium and coal-bed methane.
Helium Thermochronology Laboratory
Quadrupole mass spectrometer (Hiden HAL3F) and the dedicated ICP-MS (Agilent 7500)
Apatite and zircon helium thermochronology, and (U+Th)/He dating of continental weathering using hematite and goethite.
Noble Gas Isotope Laboratory
Magnetic sector mass spectrometers; ThermoFisher Helix-SFT and ARGUS-VI
Measurement of He, Ne and Ar isotopes in minerals, specializing in:
- Cosmogenic 3He and 21Ne for quantifying time scales for landscape development and dating volcanic eruptions.
- Noble gas isotopes in volcanic rocks for understanding Earth composition and differentiation history.
- Helium isotopes in ore minerals to trace the source of volatiles, metals and heat in mineralising fluids.