INTERDISCIPLINARY SHARED RESEARCH FACILITIES "GEOANALYST" UB RAS: OPERATING EXPERIENCE AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

The article presents general information about the interdisciplinary Shared Research Facilities "Geoanalyst" of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the main directions of its work, analytical equipment and types of work that allow obtaining quantitative information on the chemical (elemental and isotopic) and phase composition, parameters of the crystal and electronic structure, type and concentration of the lattice defects, optical properties of samples including minerals, rocks, bottom sediments, ores, products of their enrichment and processing, natural and drinking water, as well as synthetic compounds, techno- and biogenic objects. Consideration is being given to the techniques involved in the Shared Research Facilities such as electron probe microanalysis and electron microscopy; X-ray fluorescence, atomic emission and atomic absorption analysis; X-ray structural and thermal analysis; microelement mass spectrometric analysis; isotope mass spectrometric analysis and geochronology; physics and spectroscopy of minerals. Emphasis has been placed on the fundamental and applied sciences based on the Shared Research Facilities, its scientific and educational activities and the experience of working with users. Details have been provided for the formulation, testing and use of microanalytical methods for in situ study of the composition, structure and properties of minerals-concentrators of transition, rare-earth and radioactive d- and f-elements (zircon, titanite, etc.) with a spatial resolution from units to tens of micrometers. There have been analyzed the application and development of research methods; their metrological parameters; the procedure for selection and certification of internal laboratory reference samples; the possibilities for solving problems of fundamental and applied physics and chemistry of mineral matter, as well as geochronological problems.