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The Department of Geosciences maintains a diverse suite of analytical, imaging, geospatial and field-based research facilities that support faculty and student research across Earth and environmental systems. These laboratories provide state-of-the-art instrumentation for chemical analysis, microscopy, geophysics, remote sensing and sample preparation, enabling interdisciplinary research at local, regional and global scales.
Researchers collaborate across campus and with external partners to address questions related to climate, natural resources, geochemistry, surface processes and environmental change.
Analytical & Geochemistry Laboratories
AU Contaminants Laboratory
Supports research on environmental contaminants in water, soil and sediment. The lab provides advanced chemical analysis for trace organic and inorganic compounds relevant to environmental monitoring and remediation.
Paleoclimate and Stable Isotopes Laboratory
Specializes in stable isotope analysis for reconstructing past climate and environmental conditions. Instrumentation supports studies of hydrology, biogeochemistry and paleoclimate systems.
Trace Metal Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory
Provides high-precision radiogenic isotope measurements used in geochronology, crustal evolution and geochemical tracing studies.
Infrared Carbon and Sulfur Analysis Laboratory
Supports quantitative analysis of carbon and sulfur in geological materials, aiding research in petrology, geochemistry and environmental systems.
Microscopy & Materials Characterization
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Laboratory
The Department of Geosciences Advanced Microscopy Lab houses a Zeiss EVO 15 Secondary Electron Microscope, equipped with Oxford AZtecLive Standard Energy Dispersive X-ray System with Ultim Max 65 detector, Oxford AZtecHKL Electron Backscatter Diffraction C-Nano and a Zeiss cathodoluminescence detector. The lab also hosts petrographic microscopy equipment including a Nikon LV100 Polarizing Microscope with Nikon DS-10 color camera and a Nikon Stereomicroscope with Nikon DS-Fi3 color camera. Both microscopes are hooked to a workstation that runs the Nikon NIS-Elements Advanced Research software. The lab also has a JOEL EC-32010CC carbon coater. Samples preparation equipment for SEM work are also available.
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$40/hour for SEM
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$10.50/sample for diamond suspension polishing (necessary for SEM work)
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$9.75/sample for colloidal silica polishing (necessary for EBSD work)
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$12/sample for carbon coating
AU Electron Microprobe Analysis Laboratory (AU-EMPA)
Provides quantitative mineral chemistry and micro-scale compositional analysis for petrology and materials research.
Petrography and Petrology Facilities
Includes optical microscopy and thin-section preparation capabilities supporting mineralogical and petrologic investigations.
Geospatial, Remote Sensing & Field Technologies
GeoIDEA Laboratory
The GeoIDEA Lab integrates drones, geospatial technologies and field instrumentation to support mapping, environmental monitoring and applied geoscience research.
LiDAR Laser Scanner
High-resolution terrestrial laser scanning for topographic mapping, geomorphology and infrastructure studies.
Geophysics & Surface Processes
Geophysical Laboratory
Supports research in near-surface and applied geophysics, including subsurface characterization and environmental investigations.
Geomorphology Laboratory
Focuses on surface processes, sediment transport and landscape evolution through laboratory and field experimentation.
Sample Preparation & Clean Facilities
Rock and Mineral Preparation Facilities
Provides crushing, grinding and mineral separation capabilities for sample processing.
Clean Laboratory
Maintains controlled environments for trace-element and ultra-clean sample preparation to support high-precision geochemical analyses.
Shared & Specialized Resources
ANIMAL Noble Gas Laboratory
Provides noble gas mass spectrometry capabilities supporting geochronology and geochemical tracing.
ICP-MS Laboratory
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for trace element analysis across a range of geological materials.
XRD/XRF Laboratory
Supports mineralogical and elemental characterization using X-ray diffraction and fluorescence techniques.
Field Equipment
The department maintains field instrumentation and sampling equipment to support research and student training.
Computational Facilities
High-performance computing and geospatial analysis resources support modeling, data processing and advanced analytical workflows.
Professional Services & Access
The department provides professional services and collaborative research support for internal and external partners. Access policies, service requests and contact information are available through the department.
