Major laboratories

Geophysical Laboratory
The laboratory has one of the largest pools of mobile seismographs in Europe (150 Texan stations). The field equipment further includes other seismographs, a seismic telemetry system, gravimeters, magnetometers, georadar equipment, and geoelectric equipment. In addition the lab is fully equipped with state-of-the-art computer facilities and a full range of software for data processing and modelling.

Multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer laboratory (MC-ICP-MS)
The laboratory is a European leader with state-of-the-art multicollector ICP-MS and established analytical protocols for quantitative determination of a range of isotope compositions (Sr, Nd, Pb, Hf) of rock samples, and elemental concentrations by isotope dilution (REE, PGE, Rb-Sr, U-Th-Pb). Determination of elements and isotope ratios of solid samples using the connected laser ablation unit is possible.

Isotope geochemical laboratories
These class 1000 clean laboratories form the major backbone to the MC-ICP-MS and TIMS facilities and provide the necessary equipment for ultra-clean elemental separations from geological, biological and archaeological material.

The thermal ionisation mass spectrometry laboratory
The laboratory currently houses one solid source mass spectrometer, a filament degassing apparatus, DOS-based microcomputers, and a laminar flow bench for sample loading.

The gamma dating centre (GDC)
The GDC is a national lead-210 dating facility established by two universities (Århus and Copenhagen) and 3 national research institutions (Risø, DMU and GEUS) and located in the Copenhagen Geocenter.

Hydrogeology laboratory
The hydrogeology laboratory is equipped with facilities for investigating characteristics of unsaturated and saturated flow and transport, soil hydraulics and flow and non-reactive transport experiments.

GIS and remote sensing laboratories
The laboratories for geoinformatics focus upon uses of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing / digital image processing, global positioning systems (GPS) and traditional surveying using total stations and is well equipped with computers and software.

Laboratory for organic geochemistry and petrology
The laboratory is a fully equipped unit dedicated to organic geochemistry and petrography. Extensive experience has been gained within analysis of source rocks, oils, coals, and recent sediments related to a wide range of topics.

Microbiological and organochemical laboratory
Facilities for microbiological research include: aerobic and anaerobic microbiological growth experiments; microbiological degradation determination of organic substances; immune assay detection of pesticides and stable degradation products in natural waters; cultivation and molecular-based techniques for isolation and characterisation of natural pollutant-degrading micro-organisms.

Core laboratory
The laboratory undertakes a range of advanced core analysis studies of a wide range of porous media, but are particularly involved in the analysis and testing of chalk. Experimental facilities include a wide range of analysis on both plugs and cores: www.geus.dk/departments/reservoir-geol/core/kernelab-uk.htm .

Particle size analysis laboratory
The Geocenter is equipped with a range of equipment for particle size distribution analyses in suspended materials.

Scanning electron microscope laboratory (SEM-lab)
The laboratory is tailored for analyses of solid materials. The main focus is within the following areas: conventional analyses, as well as special SEM analyses encompassing point counting SEM (PCSEM) and computer controlled SEM (CCSEM).

Rock geochemical laboratory (XRF and AAS)
The laboratory is constructed and optimised around determination of major elements of rock samples and similar materials by XRF-instrument (wavelength dispersive multi-channel). The laboratory is additionally equipped with atomic absorption spectrometry instrument (AAS) mainly for analysis of elements in sulphide ores.

Biostratigraphical laboratory
The laboratory prepares microscopic fossils from sedimentary rocks for industrial or scientific biostratigraphical and palaeoecological studies. The laboratory is equipped for preparation of micro- and nanno-fossils of calcareous, siliceous, phosphatic and organic (palynological) composition.

Micropalaeontological laboratory
Fossils: Foraminifera, nannofossils, diatoms, radiolaria and conodonts. Both mechanical and chemical treatment of rock samples can be carried out. All microfossils are handpicked from the sieved and cleaned residue.

Palynological laboratory
The laboratory is fully equipped and secured for preparation with hydrofluoric acid (HF) and for the safe disposal of the HF-waste. A suite of preparation methods has been adapted for the improved recovery of fossils from problematic sediments.
Fossils: Dinoflagellate cysts, acritarchs, spores and pollen, megaspores, chitinozoans, algae, fungi and kerogene (organic matter).

Other Geocenter laboratories

• Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory
• Electron microprobe laboratory
• Thin section and polishing laboratory
• Crushing and mineral separation laboratory
• Stable isotope laboratory
• Stratigraphic laboratory
• Clay mineralogy laboratory