Research equipment at MLML's Geological Oceanography Lab enables students to conduct a large range of laboratory-based and marine field-based analyses.

Beckman Coulter Laser Particle Sizer LS1230: This is an instrument that allows accurate analyses of a very large range of particle sizes (between 2mm and 0.04µm). Analyses can be performed on both dry and wet sediment since the instrument is equipped with both a vacuum-based dry module and a liquid module. Its proprietary software archives grain size data and performs many statistical analyses that can be obtained while running the sample.

Hitachi Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with INCA Energy 250 Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer (EDX): The instrument is a modern low-vacuum Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX). This instrument functions as a fundamental component of the modern microanalysis of biological (e.g. skeletal structures and otoliths) and geological (e.g. sediments and rocks) material as well as other structural materials.

Click here to view MLML's SEM Atlas 'Microcosms'

Leica Petrographic Microscopes: Upright polarizing microscope for petrographic analysis.

Trimble VX Spatial Station: This is a sophisticated, state-of-the-art ground-based robotic infrared laser scanner equipped with a high-resolution digital camera (link photo/figure). The machine (a Trimble VX Spatial Station) is composed of an infrared laser unit capable of Direct Reflex (DR) technology (no target required), a direct drive system with robotic servo-mechanisms and a built-in digital camera. The instrument is operated via radio-link by a controller unit, can acquire accurate (<3 mm), multiple (15 points/s) spatial data (point clouds).