Laboratories
The IGWS maintains several state-of-the-art research laboratories to support long-term studies of Indiana's geology and its energy, mineral, and water resources. These facilities were renovated in 2019-2021 as part of Indiana University's continued commitment to transformative research.
Each laboratory supports current Survey projects, as well as graduate student research, external collaborations, and trainings on a case-by-case basis. For more information about our lab capabilities and services, please email us.
Energy research lab
The Energy Research Laboratory provides high-quality scientific analyses of conventional and unconventional sources of oil, gas, and coal to support energy research. The lab is housed on the second floor of the Geology Building and contains equipment related to the preparation, microscopy, porosimetry, spectroscopy, plasma ashing, and carbon and sulfur analysis of energy resources.
Energy resource samples are collected and prepared prior to various analyses in the lab. Equipment includes:
- Mortar grinder Fritsch Pulverisette 2
- LECO PR-15 single-mold mounting press
- LECO GPX 200 grinder/polisher
Microscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view samples outside of the resolution range of the human eye. The energy research lab utilizes universal microscopes with both transmitted and reflected light illumination to analyze organic matter in rocks (primarily coals and shales) and biomass. Maceral analysis, visual kerogen evaluation, and vitrinite reflectance measurements are conducted in reflected light. Thermal alteration index (TAI) and spore color index (SCI) are evaluated in transmitted light. Equipment includes:
- Optical polarization microscope Leica DM 2500 P
- Digital color camera Leica DFC 310 FX
- PMT single wavelength detector Tidas S 200/PMT VI
- Zeiss microscope III RS with DCP-2 photometer
- Zeiss microscope
Porosimetry is an analytical technique used to measure the porosity of a material by applying controlled pressure. High-performance, low-pressure gas adsorption is used to measure the surface area, pore size, and pore volume of sandstone, biochar, shale, coke, and other porous materials, while liquid mercury intrusion is used to calculate pore size distributions, total pore volume, total pore surface area, median pore diameter, and sample densities (bulk and skeletal) for shale, sandstone, limestone, and coal.
Laboratory devices are also used to measure the density of solid (nonporous) rock and whole samples to determine total porosity. Equipment includes:
- Surface area and porosimetry system Micrometrics ASAP 2020 Plus
- Mercury porosimeter Micrometrics AutoPoreV
- Density analyzer Micrometrics GeoPyc 1360
- Ultrapyc 1200E
Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy is an analytical technique used to identify chemical bonds in a molecule through the production of an infrared absorption spectrum. The FTIR analysis method uses an FTIR bench to measure a bulk sample, and a microscope with infrared objectives to analyze functional groups of organic matter on a micrometer scale. Equipment includes:
- Thermo Scientific Nicolet 6700 FTIR spectrometer
- Thermo Scientific Nicolet Continuum Infrared Microscope
Plasma ashing involves the removal of organic matter through the application of plasma. It is used to obtain ash at a low temperature (~120°C). Equipment includes:
- EMS 1050 low-temperature plasma asher
Carbon and sulfur analysis determines the total elemental composition in rocks. Rock is combusted and the carbon and sulfur content are calculated on the amount of oxides generated during combustion. The analyzer can also be used to measure total organic carbon (TOC) after carbonate carbon is eliminated from the sample. Equipment includes:
- Sulfur and carbon analyzer LECO SC 832 DR
X-ray diffraction (XRD) determines the atomic and molecular structure of crystals. It is used to identify unknown crystalline materials, such as minerals and inorganic compounds, and different phases of crystal structure. Equipment includes:
- Siemens D500 diffractometer
Quaternary sediment characterization and geochronology lab
The Quaternary Sediment Characterization and Geochronology Laboratory provides high-quality scientific information related to the study of Quaternary-age (2.6 million years or younger) sediments to support geological mapping, hazards mitigation, paleoclimate studies, and water research. The lab is housed on the third floor of the Geology Building and contains sediment preparation facilities, particle size analysis equipment, a controlled light preparation room, and instrumentation for optically-stimulated luminescence (OSL) geochronology.
Unconsolidated sediment samples are collected and prepared prior to various analyses in the lab. Equipment includes:
- Chemical fume hoods, including a hydrogen fluoride-specific fume hood
- Examination tables
- Binocular microscopes
- Controlled temperature ovens and desiccators
- Wet-sieving stations with sediment trap sinks, vacuum, and air compressed lines
- Franz Isomagnetic Separator in a controlled light room
- Sand and soil splitters
Particle size analysis characterizes the size distribution of particles within a sediment. Equipment includes:
- RotoTap sieve shaker for sieve analyses of sandy gravel and gravel
- Malvern Mastersizer 3000 for rapid particle size analysis via laser diffraction for fine sediments
Optically-stimulated luminescence (OSL) geochronology is an analytical method that determines the age at which sediment was last exposed to sunlight. Samples of sediment are collected in the field in lightproof containers, measured for natural radiation, and processed in a controlled light lab before being irradiated and measured in an OSL reader. The amount of natural and induced luminescence points to a sample's geologic age. OSL can provide ages for sediments ranging from a few years to 200,000 years, depending on site conditions.
The IGWS is the only lab in Indiana to have an automated luminescence reader. Equipment includes:
- Lexsyg Smart TL/OSL reader with blue and IR stimulation sources, fitted with a 90Sr beta irradiation source and a variable software-controlled filter set
Core photography lab
The Core Photography Laboratory provides high-quality geologic core imaging and elemental analysis to support geological mapping and energy, mineral, and water research. The lab is housed on the third floor of the Geology Building and contains equipment related to the documentation and analysis of bedrock and unconsolidated sediment core.
Bedrock and unconsolidated sediment cores are photographed using a Nikon D750 camera.
Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) is an analytical technique that uses a handheld device to emit high-intensity X-rays (gamma rays) onto geologic material to determine its elemental composition. Data is used for lithologic investigations, rare-earth element analyses, and Quaternary research. Equipment includes:
- ThermoScientific 3XL GOLDD+ pXRF analyzer
Hydrogeology lab
The Hydrogeology Laboratory provides high-quality geochemical analyses of spring and groundwater samples and monitoring station support related to the Indiana Water Balance Network to support climate studies and water research. The lab is housed on the third floor of the Geology Building and contains equipment related to water chemistry and atmospheric, soil, and groundwater monitoring.
Water samples are continuously collected from Indiana springs and groundwater aquifers for water quality and quantity studies. Dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature, pH, oxygen reactivity potential, barometric pressure, and dissolved sulfide are measured using field equipment. Equipment includes:
- ProDSS multiparameter digital water quality meter and sensor
- Hach digital titrator
- Hach DR-2700 spectrophotometer
Once collected in the field, water samples are processed and stored in the lab. Equipment includes:
- High density polyethylene bottles
- Tripod stainless steel filter with 142 mm diameter for fast filtering
- High purity water system (18.2MΩ-cm)
- Chemical fume hoods
- Walk-in refrigerator and freezer
Chromatography is an analytical technique that separates, identifies, and purifies individual components of a water sample. Cations and anions are analyzed in filtered spring and groundwater samples. Equipment includes:
- Metrohm 940 Professional Ion Chromatography Vario
- Autosampler for cations and anions
Titration is an analytical technique used to determine the chemical concentration of a substance within a filtered water sample by slowly adding (titrating) small, precise quantities of a reagent.
The hydrogeology lab utilizes an auto titrator to measure acidity and ferrous iron concentration through electric potential (potentiometric) titrations, as well as fluoride concentration using a fluoride electrode. These measurements help identify organic and inorganic pollutants in water. Equipment includes:
- Metrohm 855 Robotic Titrosampler
Gravimetric analysis measures the total dissolved solids within a water sample. Water is evaporated at 180° F and the mass of residual inorganic and organic substances is measured. Equipment includes:
- Ovens
- Mettler Toledo XSE105 DualRange analytical balance
Disease-causing bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and fecal coliforms, can contaminate drinking water through runoff, snow melt, animal input, and improperly maintained wells and spring casings. Total coliform counts can indicate if pathogenic bacteria are present in spring and groundwater samples. Equipment includes:
- Coliscan easygel reagent
- Ovens and incubators
The Indiana Water Balance Network is statewide network of atmospheric, soil, and groundwater monitoring stations that monitor long-term trends in the hydrologic cycle. Station sensors and instruments are regularly calibrated in the lab to provide quality assurance and control. Equipment includes:
- Climate-controlled weather station
- Examination tables
- Field equipment storage