Northern Arizona University

Welcome to the Sedimentary Records of Environmental Change Lab website

The Sedimentary Records of Environmental Change Laboratory analyzes physical, biological, and isotopic properties of sediment, especially from lakes and wetlands, to interpret past environmental and climate changes. The laboratory is a shared-use facility, linked to the Amino Acid Geochronology Laboratory, and affiliated with the Colorado Plateau Analytical Laboratory.

The laboratory specializes in analyzing sedimentary:
- biogenic-silica content (wet-alkaline extraction)
- particle-size distribution (Coulter LS230 laser diffraction)
- magnetic susceptibility (Bartington MS2 system)

Laboratory personnel have expertise in:
- purifying diatoms for oxygen-isotope analyses
- taxonomic identifications of freshwater ostracodes
- preparing samples for radiocarbon dating

The laboratory provides opportunities for student training and research