Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Organic Geochemistry Laboratory and Instruments

 

 

After starting at Macquarie University in 2006, I helped design and build a brand new organic geochemical laboratory. This lab was commissioned in June 2007. It is in rooms 340 and 344, Level 3 of building E7B, and is divided into a wet chemistry lab with four fume cupboards and an instrument lab (total floor space 72m²). It is adjacent to the 2nd and 3rd year chemistry teaching labs.

Since then I have been purchasing and installing equipment. So far, we have an Agilent Benchtop GC-MS (6890N and 5975B), a Dionex Accelerated Solvent Extractor (ASE300), a Leco GCxGC with FID and a Millipore Water Purification System. Other ancillary equipment includes a rotary evaporator, furnace, drying ovens, fridge, freezer and the usual glassware.

Agilent Benchtop GC-MS (6890N and 5975B) in Organic Geochemistry Lab

Dionex ASE300 in Organic Geochemistry Lab

Wet chemistry area in Organic Geochemistry Lab

 

This lab is a shared facility at Macquarie University, dedicated to trace hydrocarbon analysis. Collaborators include the Centre for Ecostratigraphy & Palaeobiology, Macquarie University, the Graduate School of the Environment and the Department of Chemistry & Biomolecular Sciences. A steering committee to oversee the operation of the lab has been appointed.

Through agreement with CSIRO, I continue to work in the nearby CSIRO Petroleum laboratory on Delhi Rd, North Ryde, and collaborate wit the scientists there. This has excellent wet chemistry and instrumental facilities. New equipment purchased at Macquarie University will be designed to be complementary to that already available at CSIRO.

Equipment available to my group at CSIRO

AutoSpec GC-MS

Laser Micropyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Agilent GC-MS (highly customised, MSSV and laser interfaces)

Varian gas chromatograph

Isotope ratio equipment (soon to be updated!)