Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research (PCIGR), housed at the University of British Columbia, is a world-class analytical facility that fosters leading-edge research in the Earth and environmental sciences. This uniquely equipped facility with 16 state-of-the-art instruments (13 mass spectrometers and 3 laser ablation systems) and 3 sample preparation laboratories enables high-precision compositional measurements of rocks, minerals, water, and organic matter. Our resident team of researchers and highly qualified staff allows the development of novel and tailored protocols to meet the specific requirements and challenges of our users. PCIGR currently serves the research needs of over 200 investigators from universities, government agencies, geological surveys, environmental consulting firms and mineral exploration companies across Canada and around the world. The facility is a key platform for the mentorship, training and career development of young scientists. It is the main training hub for the NSERC CREATE Multidisciplinary Applied Geochemistry Network (MAGNET), as well as a centre for research and development via industry partnerships. There are no alternative labs in Canada for many of the specialized, high-quality geochemical analyses for which PCIGR is the go-to facility. Access to resources at PCIGR is critical for a wide range of research programs, spanning over 4 billion years of Earth history and many different Earth reservoirs, with important Canadian scientific, economic, environmental and social implications. For example, isotope analyses of elements such as copper, zinc and iron are used by exploration companies to find buried mineral deposits, while cadmium and molybdenum isotopes are used by environmental researchers to trace the pathways of these toxic metals in the environment and food chain. Geochronology places age constraints on the evolution of the Earth and the past timing of dangerous natural hazards like earthquakes and tsunamis. High-resolution isotope analysis of silicon in seawater and soils enables new breakthroughs in paleoceanography and the study of global climate change. The unique synergy of infrastructure, expertise, and versatility at PCIGR is unsurpassed and key for the users from our diverse pool of researchers. The funding requested through this pilot program would ensure the sustainability of such a service for the Canadian and international research community.