Graduate Programs
Master of Science in Geochemistry & Ph.D in Geochemistry
Ongoing research includes application of a wide variety of techniques to the understanding of earth and ocean processes. We have active research projects in environments ranging from high-temperature and environmental geochemistry (e.g. contaminant fate and transport). Examples of recent and ongoing research projects include:
- Stable isotope geochemistry of hazardous organic contaminants: sources and behavior in ground water.
- Geothermal system geochemistry & hydrology,
- Fluxes of trace gases (mercury and volatile organics) in the environment and global mercury cycles.
- Surface chemistry and dissolution rates of minerals.
- Elemental and isotope geochemistry of hydrothermal carbonates: implications for fluid flow in the crust.
- Nitrogen isotope geochemistry of tree rings: acid rain deposition patterns and effects on biogeochemistry.
- Oxidation rates of arsenic sulfides.
- Paleoclimate on a long-term timescale using stable isotopes of geothermal and fossil geothermal systems.
- Geochemistry of volcanic emissions: use of isotope geochemistry as a predictor of volcanic eruptions.
- Tephrachronology of Tertiary Great Basin rocks.
- Aqueous geochemistry of pit lakes forming at active and abandoned mine sites.
- Sediment diagenesis, marine and lake sediment geochemistry and paleoceanography.
Our microscopy labs include transmitted & reflected light, cathodoluminescence and fluid inclusion capabilities. Computer facilities include numerous Mac Power PC’s, Pentium MMX PC’s, and Sun and Silicon Graphics workstations. We have access to an advanced GIS System, modern automated XRD and XRF capability as well as AA (including graphite furnace) and a Dionex 2000i/SP Ion Chromatograph with anion and monovalent cation columns. Our microbeam lab houses a JEOL 840A Scanning Electron Microscope with KEVEX energy-dispersive spectrometer and a Cameca MBX Electron Microprobe. We have recently installed a state -of-the-art ICP-MS with a fully automatic sampler system, CEM microwave digestion system, and laser ablation system. In addition, we operate a complete modern stable isotope laboratory capable of analyzing H, N, C, O, and S isotopes in all geological materials. Within UNR we have access to other analytical facilities including an Atomic Force Microscope; modern facilities for TGA and DTA analyses of minerals; a trace Hg facility with cold-vapor fluorescence analyzers, a Tekran real-time automated analyzer, and a Milestone solid-state Hg analyzer.
For detailed information contact:
Dr. Greg Arehart arehart@mines.unr.edu 775-784-6470
Dr. Robert Karlin karlin@mines.unr.edu 775-784-1770
Dr. John McCormack mccormac@mines.unr.edu 784-4518
Dr. Gina Tempel gtempel@unr.edu 775-784-4706