Thin Section Laboratory

Thin Section Laboratory

Our thin section lab is equipped to produce a wide variety of high-quality polished thin and thick sections. Our lab is equipped with a wide range of instruments for thin section preparation, including slab saws, trim saws, grinders, epoxy impregnation stations, lapping machines, and polishing machines. We can produce sections form soft sediments, hard rocks, minerals and soils.

All samples are archived in our speleothem archive, where sample slabs can be displayed and sorted for subsequent sampling. We also store and maintain our caving equipment in this room.

The Speleothem Archive

All samples are archived in our speleothem archive, where sample slabs can be displayed and sorted for subsequent sampling. We also store and maintain our caving equipment in this room.

Our group has a Keyence Digital Microscope VHX-7000 (4k) and VHX-S770E motorized stage to take images of stalagmites and thin sections. Digital Image analysis allows us to measure  the thickness of annual growth bands and distribution of fluid inclusions within a stalagmite.

Digital Image Analysis

Our group has a Keyence Digital Microscope VHX-7000 (4k) and VHX-S770E motorized stage to take images of stalagmites and thin sections. Digital Image analysis allows us to measure the thickness of annual growth bands and distribution of fluid inclusions within a stalagmite.

Sample Preparation Laboratory

Sample Preparation Laboratory

Samples for stable isotope analysis are prepared in our Sample preparation laboratories, which are equipped with various micromills and balances.

- Mettler Toledo Microbalances
- 3 Sherline Digital Micromills
- Elemental Scientific Micro Mill2

Stable Isotope Laboratory

Stable Isotope Laboratory

Our new state-off-the-art isotope Laboratory (BaQUIL) was established in 2019 and consists of:

- Thermo Scientific Delta Plus and GasBench II for stable isotope analysis on calcites
- Thermo Scientific Delta Ray & Autosampler
- Picarro L2140-i for stable isotope analysis of speleothem fluid inclusions and water
- Picarro L2130-i for stable analysis of speleothem fluid inclusions