This component provides new geochemical instrumentation and improved access to existing quality geochemical infrastructure, with a national data management and delivery network that acts as a basis for understanding the formation mechanisms and time context of the geological components of the Australian continent.

AuScope investment for this component comprises two categories:

Technology Acquisition

The acquisition of a new-generation ion probe is providing Australian scientists with access to high precision and high spatial resolution isotope and trace element data, coupled with high resolution element images to characterise the nature of fluid and volatile phases that have interacted with crust.  Access to such data enables scientists to address fundamental problems on high international impact.

The ion probe has substantial co-investment from the NCRIS research capability “Characterisation” and is located at the John de Laeter Centre of Mass Spectrometry (JDL) at UWA/Curtin. The facility is managed by the AMMRF on behalf of the Australian scientific community.

For more information regarding the facility visit AMMRF. Access can be arranged in the first instance by contacting the Ion Microprobe Manager, Dr John Cliff.

Installation at the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis (CMCA) at UWA was completed and opened in August 2009 by the Hon Kim Carr, Minister for innovation.

Technical and operational support 

Technical and other operational support for the provision of national access to existing instruments, infrastructure, expertise and technical support at Australian geochemical research centres and includes:

• Access to instruments at the (JDL) Centre of Mass Spectrometry at UWA/Curtin, for the principal purpose of undertaking high precision geochronology including SHRIMP ion probes and mass spectrometers.
• Access to the range of thermochronology facilities at the University of Melbourne (with links to the University of Queensland).  The specific facilities include the Ar/Ar, fission-track and (U-Th)/He laboratories.
• Access to the TerraneChron® facility at Macquarie University; a unique methodology for analysing the geological evolution of the Earth’s crust on which we live, with applications in mineral exploration. It is based on in-situ analysis of the resistant mineral zircon to obtain the age and the isotopic and trace-element fingerprint of each grain.

For more information on current and potential projects or accessing AuScope’s Earth Composition and Evolution infrastructure component for a project of your own please contact the Program Director.

Program Director - Bruce Schaefer
bschaefe@els.mq.edu.au