E-mail: kargt00@tamuk.edu

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS

The analytical instrumentation was acquired by John Russell, Jon Baskin, and Bill Thomann through a National Science Foundation , Research Instrumentation for Minority Institutions Grant in 1984.

The Analytical Instruments Laboratory is primarily for the analysis of geological samples. However, the instruments have the capability for a broader field of analysis including analysis of metals, liquid samples, soils and other solid materials.

SEM/DSG1/EDS (Scanning Electron Microscope, Digital Image System, and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer) The Joel JSM 35-CF SEM /DSG1 System and a Princeton Gamma Tech EDS are for the examination of material surfaces at magnifications of 20X to as high as 180,000X, with elemental analysis. Most materials are examined from 20X to 10,000X.

Samples have to be solids and must be clean, dry and able to stand a vacuum environment. Samples with poor conductivity are coated with metal or carbon prior to analysis.

Results are given in: (a) SEM photomicrographs of surface features (b) identification of elements and (c) EDS photomicrographs showing spatial distribution of elements.

The SEM was updated with a Digital Image System in 1994 which allowed SEM images to be digitized. The images can be captured at resolutions of 240 x 320 pixels, 480 x 640 pixels (approximately 300 KB), 960 x 1280 pixels (approximately 1.3 MB) and 1920 x 2560pixels. Image .tif files can be stored on diskettes and used immediately in manuscripts or presentations.. With a photo suite program the images can be improved and various count and measurement analysis performed. Polaroid photomicrographs can be generated, but are much more time consuming and relatively obsolete.

Field Research

South Texas Pleistocene Fossils
For more information on fossil finds check out paleontologist Jon Baskin's TAMUK home page.  Jon, the resident paleontologist, takes care of the library research, identifies more difficult specimens, conducts taxonomic and morphological analysis  and supervises student analytical research .

Fossils are being collected to establish a representative  faunal  assemblage of  South Texas during the Pleistocene (Ice Ages).  Weekly collecting trips are made to active sand and gravel pits along the Lower Nueces River to search for  freshly exposed  fossils. Students learn to be observant and develop the necessary patience to find and recover fossils.  A working knowledge of  fluvial  processes, ground water,  mineralogy , petrology and sedmentology is gained hands-on while  searching for fossils.

Baffin Bay and Corpus Christi Bay Sediment Samples
Scanning Electron Microscope Digital Photomicrographs

The Scanning Electron Microscope Photomicrographs below are taken from on-going studies of fresh sediment and water samples from Baffin Bay and Corpus Christi Bay. 

Click to enlarge the Pictures Below

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