Sample preparation, Sedimentology and Cosmogenics
The objective of this laboratory is the characterization of soils and sediments using different techniques, from the most traditional, such as dry screening and the Robinson pipette, to the most technological methods such as the analysis of particles by laser diffraction. Prior preparation for other analytical techniques is also carried out, such as the separation of quartz for chronological analysis and the digestion of samples for analysis by ICP-OES.
It has several different areas: main room, grinding and milling room, balance room and room for the preparation of cosmogenic nuclide samples, which all provide services to other laboratories at the Center, based on several different methodologies.
In the room for the preparation of cosmogenic nuclides, which is independent from the rest of the laboratory, the separation of 26Al and 10Be is carried out, which are subsequently measured in a mass accelerator at centers associated to CENIEH.
There are several areas that enable the use of the different techniques necessary for the preparation of samples for other laboratories and to carry out sedimentological analysis.
The most frequently used methods are:
- Pre-treatment of samples received from archaeological and paleontological sites, soundings, testimonies, etc., for their subsequent analysis using different archaeometric techniques. This includes sample cleaning processes, screening, grinding, milling and sample division.
- Sample preparation for analysis at other laboratories, such as pH determination, magnetic separation, DRX, FRX, digestion of samples for ICP, cleaning of quartz, etc.
- Analyses such as granulometries through screening or Beckman Coulter, Calcimetry, Robinson Pipette, Carbonates, etc.
The laboratory is formed by four different areas: the laboratory itself, balance room, the grinding, milling and screening area and cosmogenics. There is also a magnetic separation room and a room for the receipt of materials and storage of samples with a stable temperature and humidity and a large cooling chamber.
The following equipment is particularly noteworthy:
- Coulter laser diffraction device, which analyzes the particle size of a disintegrated sample within a range of between nm to 2,000 micras.
- Outtec magnetic separator which uses the magnetic properties of minerals for their separation.
- Microwave oven digestion system to digest solid samples such as flint in acids for their subsequent analysis through ICP.
It also boasts: pHmeters, screening machine, milling equipment such as Retsch RS200 disc mill, Restch PM100 ball mill and Retsch MM400 mixer mill, press, muffles, furnaces, desktop and orbital magnetic stirrers, centrifuges, Petron calcimeter, ultrasonic baths, BB100 and BB51 jaw crushers, hot plates and Mettler Toledo XS20002S scales (2100g, d=0.01g), Mettler Toledo XS403S scales (410g, d=1mg) and Mettler Toledo AB265-s/FACT scales (61/220g, d=0.01mg/0.1mg)
The laboratory is also equipped with gas extraction hoods, making it possible to work in a safe atmosphere, cupboards with gas extraction systems, dust aspersion system, demineralized water system, compressed air and necessary personal protection material.
Applications
- Sedimentological analysis at archaeological and paleontological sites
- Determination of the size of particles in liquid suspensions
- Nanotechnology: Measurement of graphene nanofibers
- Pharmaceutical industry Quality control of the main active substances of medications
- Cement industry
- Primary sector
- Environmental protection
- Water treatment
Services
- Grinding, milling and screening
- Magnetic separation and with dense liquids
- Mineral separation of quartz and sanidines for dating
- Preparation of samples for the characterization analysis of solids by DRX, FRX and elemental analysis by ICP
- Determination of LOI for volatile elements and organic material
- Preparation of samples for oriented aggregates
- Microwave acid digestion of sediments and rocks
- Textural analysis of samples through dry and wet granulometry, Robinson Pipette and analysis of the volumetric distribution through Beckman Coulter laser diffraction
- Analysis of carbonates
Geology Laboratory Technician
Cosmogenic Nuclides Laboratory support Technician
