Welcome to the IGGRC at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. Here you will find information about our facilities, who we are, what we do and how to access our laboratories. We hope that you find these pages informative, but if you have any questions, please contact us and we'd be more than happy to answer them.
We measure isotopic variations in certain elements in geological and environmental materials. By interpreting the variations we can add to the understanding of how our planet has evolved. Elements we're interested in include uranium, lead, samarium, neodymium, rubidium, strontium and thorium, but just recently we've been able to expand our capabilities to include calcium and boron, and soon we'll be adding rhenium and osmium to the list.
For a basic description of isotope geochemistry and mass spectrometry, click here.
If you're also interested in research utilizing the 'traditional' stable isotopes of carbon, oxygen and sulphur, you may wish to visit the web page of our sister laboratory, the G. G. Hatch Isotope Laboratories at the University of Ottawa. They're also part of the Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience Centre. Together, we have among the very best facilities for geochronology and isotopic research in Canada.
March 21, 2013: - We are now hiring a new part time Mass Spectrometer Lab Assistant. Contact rhea_mitchell [at] carleton [dot] ca (Rhea Mitchell) or click here for more information.
October 12, 2012: - A new page has been added! We are resurrecting the Ottawa Isotope Group and are planning our first meeting soon. Click here for more information.
July 17, 2012: - A new page has been added! There is now a public calendar showing instrument and chemistry lab availability for internal users. Please make any new requests for internal usage through this page. Thanks!
July 16, 2012: - our Lab/Contract Manager, Lizzy Ann Spencer, is heading out on sabbatical. We welcome one of our research associates, Rhea Mitchell, into the position until the end of August 2013.