The Fulbright College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is amassing a wide array of world-class equipment to help our researchers and students conduct cutting-edge sciences. Below are several of the facilities that we use in Deep-time paleocliamte research.

UASIL (U of A Stable Isotope Laboratory) is part of the state-wide mass spectrometry facility. It is able to analyze all light isotopes including C, O, N, H and S of organics, carbonates, phosphates, and waters.

There are three isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) systems that use continuous flow IRMS. One system is a GC for Compound Specific Isotope Analysis uses Delta V and Thermo trace GC. The second system has an Elemental Analyzer connected by a Conflo IV and to a new Delta V Advance IRMS. The third system has a high temperature elemental analyzer (TC/EA) connected via a Conflo III and a Gas Bench II. The TC/EA and Gas Bench use a CTC Analytics GC-Pal autosampler and is connected to a new Thermo Delta V Advantage IRMS. https://isotope.hosted.uark.edu/index.php

TRAIL (Trace element and Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory) This newly NSF-IF funded lab houses two ICP-MS systems; one Thermo iCAP Q-ICP-MS and one NU Multi-collector ICP-MS both with designated liquid autosamplers, as well as a ESI 193 nm Excimer laser ablation system that can be connected to both systems.

Wet chemistry, sampling, and detrital zircon preparation facilities: These newly renovated labs have equipment necessary for sample preparation including various reagents, sized pipets, centrifuge, hot plate, ultrasonic baths, balances, in-house DI water systems, ovens, and vortex mixers. Mineral separation facilities is also available and includes mineral separation equipment, including a Gemeni water table and a Frantz Magnetic Separator.  For more on detrital zircon geochronology visit Dr. Glenn Sharman’s page at: https://clastics.uark.edu/

Microscopy: Microscopy facilities include a Leica M80 binocular microscope mounted to a breadboard with a dental drill held in place under the field of view. This set-up allows for researchers and students to microsample a wide range of materials including various sized fossils, thin section, and facing billets. Several sizes of drill bits are available ranging in sizes from Brassler USA bits 005 to 010 (~0.5 mm to 1 mm) that come in a variety of shapes from pointed, round, and inverted cones. The PI also has a Leica DM2700 polarized microscope for viewing and imaging thin sections. A Mettler-Toledo motion controlled microbalance is also available for use to measure out mg and sub-mg sized samples.