  
Sample Preparation Equipment:
Two separate labs contain equipment for bulk sample processing. Additional
Department sample preparation facilities include a fully-equipped thin section laboratory
(full-time staff) and rock saw labs. Additional labs that are overseen by the
Radiogenic Isotope Lab include a Crushing Lab and Mineral Separation Lab.
Crushing Lab (Room B168):
 | Mn-steel jaw crusher |
| Tungsten-carbide hydraulic rock breaker |
| Disk grinder (alumina or steel plates; for sizing crushed rocks) |
| Shatter box (alumina; for making whole rock powders) |
 |
Photograph of disk grinder, showing alumina plates for sizing
rock samples. The disk grinder is used for reducing the size of samples so that they
may go into the shatter box, or for sizing samples for mineral separation. |
Mineral Separation Lab (Room 276):
| Bulk heavy mineral separation table ("gold table") |
| High-gradient Franz magnetic separator |
| Heavy-liquid separation hood and equipment |
 |
High-gradient Franz magnetic separator. Separation of
different minerals usually requires a combination of heavy-liquid and magnetic
separations. In addition, purification of mineral separates, which is particularly
critical for geochronological studies, often involves separation based on very subtle
differences in magnetic properties. |
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