| Office: | Miller 414 |
|---|---|
| Phone: | 613-893-5168 |
| Email: | dlayton@queensu.ca |
Research Interests/Current Research
As a member of the Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering I direct my research group in the Queen’s Facility for Isotope Research (QFIR); a comprehensive geochemical facility ideally suited for isotope research on ore systems that includes, 5 Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometers, Electron-based Instruments (SEM, EPMA), X-Ray - based instruments (XRD, XRF), 5 Plasma-based instruments (ICP-OES, Q-ICP-MS, TQ-ICP-MS, HR-ICP-MS & MC-ICP-MS) and preparatory laboratories (clean lab, automated and manual & automated column separations, microwave digestions, etc).
My cross-disciplinary research focuses on:
1) developing new or modifying existing analytical techniques to make elemental and isotopic determinations common place and to expand isotope ratios applications in new fields of research in the discovery and sustainable development of metals, and environment assessment;
2) elucidation of processes of element cycling in the environment from geogenic and anthropogenic sources; and
3) establishing geochemical methods for mineral exploration under cover or through bedrock.
My motivation for my short-term research projects is to develop robust in-situ methods for measuring isotopes that my research group is currently working on (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mo Se, Te, Tl, & Ge) to solve geological and biological problems. This research will determine accurate and precise values for certified reference materials (i.e., NIST, MPI-DING) using established bulk methods, traditional laser ablation, and developing a new in-situ & offline method using modified laser ablation systems coupled with an in-house automated particulate dissolution and column separation systems to concentrate and isolate isotopes from micro-sampled areas (~100 x 500 micron) areas. We will be able to sample and measure smaller volumes of material at a high spatial resolution (in comparison to bulk powder methods) that is ideally suited to the study of mineral-mineral pairs and isotopic fractionation mechanisms in natural geological samples. The long-term goal of my research program is to provide robust isotopic methods and proven applications that will enhance our ability to track element sources and migration through geological and biological materials.
Supervising Information
Current HQP
- Sara Craig (MSc)
- Willian Sanches (MSc)
- Siobhan Keane (MSc)
- Marc Rochette (MSc)
- Funmilade Akinleye (MSc)
- Ross Campbell (PhD)
- Sharlotte Mkhonto (PhD)
- Alex Voinot (RA)
- Brian Joy (RA)
- Evelyne Leduc (RA)
- Emma Scanlan (RA)
Recent HQP (>2016)
- Collette Pilsworth (PhD)
- Alex Voinot (RA)
- Don Chipley (RA)
- Justin Drummond (PhD)
- Don Lougheed (PDF)
- Derek Knaack (RA)
- Urmidola Raye (RA)
- Emma Scanlan (PhD)
- Michelle Kelvin (PhD)
- Derek Knaack (PhD)
- Don Lougheed (PhD)
- Kaj Sullivan (PhD)
- James Kidder (PhD)
- Kayla Dell (PhD)
- Mike Gadd (PDF, PhD, MSc)
- Sarah Hashmi (PhD)
- Neil Fernandes (PhD)
- Steve Beyer (RA)
- April Vuletich (RA)
- Patrick DesRosiers (MSc – SFU)
- Marissa Valentino (MSc)
- Madison Schmidt (MSc)
- Marty McCurdy (MSc)
- Jeff Bigelow (MSc)
- Leah Chiste (MSc)
- Matt Degeer (MSc, BSc)
- Johanna Mason (MSc)
- Claire Leighton (MSc)
- Isobel Crawford (MSc)
- Cole McGill (MSc)
- Andrew Kaczowka (MSc)
- Stacie Jones (MSc)
- Nick Joyce (MSc)
- Jordan Peterson (BSc)
- Siobhan Keene (BSc)
- Jacob Pinter (BSc)
- Taylor Drake (BSc)
- Stephanie Walmsley (BSc)
- Avery Wright (BSc)
- Shahzal Tariq (BSc)
- William Reith (MSc)
- Matt Duffy (BSc)
Professional Associations
- Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA - https://www.e-sga.org/ )
- Society of Economic Geology (SEG - http://www.segweb.org.proxy.queensu.ca/ )
- Geological Association of Canada (GAC - http://www.gac.ca.proxy.queensu.ca/wp/ )
- Mineralogical Association of Canada (MAC - http://www.mineralogicalassociation.ca.proxy.queensu.ca