Geothermochronology Research and Education Centre

• The Laboratory has developed an U/Pb dating method using the digital LA-ICP-MS method using the Neptune Plus (ThermoFisher multi-collector mass spectrometer and the NWR213 (ESI) laser ablation system.
• We have performed U/Pb-dating of detrital zircons for sedimentation masses of the Early Ordovician period and the Early Devonian period of the Tuva downfold near the Khondegrey village.
• Our team has developed a method for chemical preparation of samples of carbonate rock formations for investigation of Sr isotope composition (ratio) using multi-collector mass spectrometry with ionization of the matter in inductively coupled plasma (MC-ICP-MS).
• We have developed and implemented a method for high accuracy Sr isotope analysis (imaging) that is based on multi-collector mass spectrometry with ionization of the matter in inductively coupled plasma.
• The Laboratory has conducted experiments for selecting samples from natural denudations of different geological ages, rock types and territorial origins.
• We have implemented the fission-track dating method. Our researchers have mastered methods for extracting the monomineral fractions of zircons and apatites from rock formations, manufacturing ground cartridges, their etching, counting fission tracks in apatites. We have found optimal parameters for quantitative measurement of 238U using the ThermoScientific iCAP Qc quadrupole mass spectrometer with ionization of the matter in inductively coupled plasma with the NWR 213 laser ablation system. We have mastered the Iolite v3.65 specialized software package with Igor Pro. Fission track age of apatites has been determined.

Implemented results of research:

• We have assembled and tested a structure of a magnetic separator.
• Our team has conducted mathematical computations that helped to determine parameters (of the sample and the magnet) that impact maximum amount of of emission of magnetic separated substance.
• We have prepared the first draft of the design documentation for our magnetic separator.

Education and career development: We have organized training at the «Basics of methods of U-Th-dating, apatite fission-track analysis, isotope ratios of strontium and their applications in geochronology. Application of these methods in the oil and gas industry» seminar and case study for employees of the Center within career skills enhancement. The training was conducted by employees of the Faulty of Geology of the Moscow State University on the basis of the Institute of Geology and Oil and Gas Technologies of the Kazan Federal University (Russia).

Organizational and structural changes:

• We have purchased and tuned the Cetac Analyte Exсite excimer laser system (175 nm wave length)

Other results:

• We have conducted the 3rd International School and Conference for students, postgraduates and young researchers «Materials and technologies of the 21st century», and a school-seminar in geotherrmochronology on the grounds of the Kazan Federal University (Russia) 21–29 October 2018.
• The leading scientist and employees of the Center have participated in 4 international conferences (Canada, Kyrgyzstan, China PR, Russia).

Collaborations:

• V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy of the Siberian Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia), Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia), Institute of Precambrian Geology and Geochronology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia), O. Yu. Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia), A.P. Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry of the Siberian Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia), A.A. Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics of the Siberian Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia): joint research, scientific events, academic exchanges, creation of methodologies and recommendations for conducting research
• Boise State University (USA): joint research, publications, creation of methodologies and recommendations for conducting research