Geology, Mineralogy and Dating

The Hutton carry out a wide range of advanced analysis on geological samples ranging from imaging, minerology, identifying unknowns, to dating and provencing using isotopes.

Although we are recognised for our expertise in clay mineralogy, we offer a wide range of mineralogical and geological services.

Minerology, Imaging, Identification, Characterisation, and Quantification

Scanning Electron Microscopes/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) – Visualisation of the minerals present for characterisation of rock samples to provide a detailed description of mineral types, grain size and shape, potential origin (detrital or diagenetic), morphology, distribution and their inter-relationships.

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) – Identify any crystalline substance such as most minerals. Quantify the proportions of different minerals or indeed many other substances when they are present in a mixture.

Major elemental analysis – By fusion and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry)

Cation Exchange Capacity

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) – Identification of crystalline and amorphous mineral phases.

Our experts work together to provide our clients with the most suitable high-quality analysis for their needs.

Helen Pendlowski, XRD Lab Manager

Provenancing and Dating (isotopes):

Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) – Dating marine carbonate, phosphate or evaporite minerals is possible using the Strontium isotope stratigraphy technique.

Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) – Where strata are biostratigraphically barren, we can analyse Samarium (Sm) and Neodymium (Nd) isotopes in core or cuttings of sandstone and mudstones for provenance ageing and correlating strata.

Compartmentalisation, allocation and connectivity:

Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) – Cores of any vintage analysed for strontium residual salt analysis (SrRSA 87Sr/86Sr) to aid in the understanding of reservoir compartmentalisation.

Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) – Produced water Strontium 87Sr/86Sr isotopes can be used to investigate water allocation and connectivity.

Elemental analysis – By Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Corrosion Products, scales, filters and contaminant analysis:

Our experts will be able to advise on the appropriate techniques from FTIR, XRD, SEM and others to accurately characterise your samples.

Isotope analyses contact

Dr. Carol-Ann Craig

Inorganic Isotope Lead, ISO17025 Technical and Quality Manager and GxP Quality Assurance Manager
Based in Aberdeen
E: carol-ann.craig@hutton.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1224 395101
Carol-Ann is Isotope Geochemist working for James Hutton Limited. Her work focuses broadly on providing an isotope analytical service (TIMS) for commercial and research clients. She is also the ISO17025 Technical and Quality Manager for the EBS department, and the Quality Assurance Manager (GxP) for the Mylnefield Lipids unit ensuring that our science is produced to the highest quality.
View profile

XRD and CEC contact

Helen Pendlowski

XRD Lab Manager
Based in Aberdeen
E: helen.pendlowski@hutton.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1224 395357
Helen is a geologist specialising in mineralogy and X-ray diffraction techniques, with significant experience preparing, analysing, and interpreting samples for a variety of industries.
View profile

SEM contact

Laura-Jane Strachan

Head of Electron Microscopy
Based in Aberdeen
E: Laura-Jane.Strachan@hutton.ac.uk

Laura-Jane Strachan gained a degree in Geology and an honors degree in Geography from the University of Aberdeen. She came to the James Hutton Institute in 2011 with over 5 years experience of working in the oil and gas industry. Her previous experience is in the identification of solid and fluid induced mechanisms causing formation damage, using standard and cryogenic SEM methods and thin section analysis

Laura-Jane currently works in the Electron Microscopy section and predominantly works on commercial projects, using Scanning Electron Microscopy to characterise a range of sample types.

View profile

FTIR contact

Angela Main

Senior IR Analyst
Based in Aberdeen
E: angela.main@hutton.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1224 395331
Angela graduated in 1987 with an honours degree in Physical Sciences (Chemistry) and has over 30 years laboratory experience including the analysis of drinking waters, effluents ,waste waters and core analysis. Since joining the institute in 2001 she has worked in microbiology and molecular biology gaining experience of phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA), microresp, DNA extractions and mTRFLP of soils. After 2012 she has been working in the FTIR spectroscopy section on a mixture of commercial and RESAS funded research projects. She has vast experience of spectral interpretation.
View profile