Mineralogical research that address a range of issues to resolve geophysical, geotechnical, sedimentological, stratigraphic and mineralogical problems
Non–destructive mineralogical analyses through quantitative analysis and elemental composition at micro and nano scales; development of field-based methods. Expertise in mineralogy, clay mineralogy, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe analyses and infrared spectroscopy.
Specialized analysis and method development.
Collaborative projects are treated on a case-by-case basis and selected through a proposal system. Projects must be aligned with, and contribute to, advancing laboratory strategic goals. They must also be closely aligned with the current Geological Survey of Canada program. Collaborative projects are undertaken on a cost-recovery basis.
- Energy
- Environmental technologies and related services
- Mining, minerals and metals
Specialized labs and equipment
| Equipment | Function |
|---|---|
| Bruker D8 ADVANCE X-Ray Diffractometer | Quantitative/semi-quantitative mineralogical analyses of bulk rock powders/clay-size separates |
| JEOL Superprobe Electron Microprobe | Rapid, non-destructive, 1-5 micron-scale, chemical analysis of major and trace elements of geological materials |
| Zeiss EVO Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) | Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging, X-ray maps, Cathodoluminescence Imaging (CL) imaging, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses of rock materials in polished thin sections, pucks or natural specimens |
| TESCAN Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) | SEM imaging, X-ray maps, CL imaging, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses, Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) analyses, high resolution, only on highly polished mounts |
| TerraSpec Halo Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) Analyser | Hand-held, field-portable visible-near infrared-shortwave infrared analyses of earth materials in lab or field |