Research, analytical services and training in elemental and isotopic geochemistry.
The Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research (PCIGR) is a world-class integrated analytical facility that supports leading-edge research across the natural sciences. Established in 2002 with a primary focus on the Earth sciences, the facility has since expanded its capabilities to serve disciplines ranging from archaeology to zoology, quite literally from A to Z. PCIGR's combination of mass spectrometer instrumentation, specialized sample preparation clean laboratories, and a resident research team and technical staff has established PCIGR as one of the world’s premier analytical facilities. Its analytical versatility enables users to obtain high-precision elemental and isotopic measurements across the periodic table, with sensitivity extending to the micron scale and nanogram level in a wide range of sample types.
The Centre’s research team and technical staff develop customized analytical solutions to address specific research needs and challenges, including limited small volumes and ultra-trace-level analyses, while adhering to rigorous quality assurance and quality control standards. The facility houses advanced analytical instrumentation, and offers expert services, and specialized training to investigators from Canadian universities, government agencies, the natural resource and environmental sectors, and the international community.
- Sample preparation and processing
- Customized analytical method development
- Radiogenic isotope analysis
- Light and heavy stable isotope analysis
- High-resolution elemental concentration measurements
- In situ laser ablation and microanalysis
- Geochronology and isotope dating services
- Agriculture, animal science and food
- Environmental technologies and related services
- Fisheries and aquaculture
- Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
- Mining, minerals and metals
Specialized labs and equipment
- Controlled clean laboratory environments: Prepare low level trace metal samples in certified Class 1000 clean rooms equipped with Class 100 laminar flow hoods, HEPA filtered air, and stringent contamination control protocols.
- Trace elemental analysis: Determine elemental concentrations from parts per million to sub parts per trillion levels in liquid and solid samples using high resolution, extended range, as well as quadrupole and triple-quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (ICP-MS).
- Radiogenic and metal stable isotope analysis: Measure radiogenic (e.g., Sr, Nd, Pb, Hf) and metal stable isotopes with high-precision using multi collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) and thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS).
- Light stable isotope ratio analysis: Analyze carbon (C) and oxygen (O) isotope ratios in carbonates and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotope ratios in organic materials, using gas chromatography (compound specific analyses), elemental analysis, and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS).
- Geochronology: Determine high precision uranium lead (U-Pb) ages of geological materials using laser ablation ICP-MS, thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), and chemical abrasion isotope dilution TIMS (CA-ID-TIMS).
- In situ elemental and isotopic analyses: Perform minimally invasive laser ablation (MC-)ICP-MS analysis to obtain spatially and temporally resolved trace elemental, radiogenic isotope, and metal stable isotope data, including simultaneous split-stream measurements of both elemental concentrations and isotopic compositions.
Private and public sector research partners
- Nu Instruments
- Savillex
- Geosyntec Consultants
- Lorax Environmental
- Teck Resources
- Mineral Deposit Research Unit (The University of British Columbia)