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</div> <div class="site-identifier"> <p class="">Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences</p> </div> </div> <div class="primaryNav-container">  <nav class="primaryNav" id="navigation" aria-label="Site menu">  <ul class="megaMenu clickOut clearfix"> <li class="menuItem"><a class="home" href="/">Home</a></li> <li class="menuItem"> <a class="megaLink" href="/study/">Study</a> <div class="megaContent"> <div class="row"> <div class="megaSubPanel"> <p><strong><a href="/study/undergraduate/">Undergraduate</a> </strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="/study/undergraduate/courses/"><span class="screenreader">Undergraduate </span>Courses </a></li> <li><a href="/study/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/">Fees and funding<span class="screenreader"> for Undergraduate study</span></a></li> <li><a href="/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/">How to apply<span class="screenreader"> for Undergraduate study</span></a></li> <li><a href="/study/undergraduate/field-trips/">Field trips</a></li> <li><a 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href="/research/facilities/">Facilities</a></li> </ul> </nav>  <div class="row tripleVertPadding">  <aside class="leftMenuContainer showAtDesktop">  <nav class="primaryLeftNavNew" aria-label="Section menu">  <ul> <li class="breadcrumbItem"><a href="/">Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences</a></li> <li class="breadcrumbItem"><a href="/research/">Research</a></li> <li class="sectionHeader"><a href="/research/facilities/">Facilities</a> <ul class="sectionMenu"> <li><a href="/research/facilities/firs-environmental-research-station/">The Firs environmental research station</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul>  </nav>  </aside>   <div class="oneColLayoutContainer">   <div class="mainContentContainer" id="content" data-swiftype-name="body" data-swiftype-type="text">  <h1>Facilities</h1><p class="subHeading">Our research facilities rival those of other leading Earth and environmental research institutions around the world.</p><p>Many of our facilities are housed in the Williamson Research Centre, which acts as a hub for interdisciplinary research in molecular environmental science. The Centre houses a range of research laboratories and equipment for investigating our environment and the effect of human behaviour on environmental systems.</p> <p>We also have a range of advanced instrumentation supporting the full spectrum of our research activities and the work undertaken by our students.</p> <p>Further analytical capabilities are also available in the Williamson Research Centre. These include the <a href="/wrc/research/facilities/magu/">Manchester Analytical Geochemistry Unit</a>, the <a href="/wrc/research/facilities/maf/">Mineral Analysis Facility</a> and <a href="/wrc/research/facilities/mes/">molecular environmental science facilities</a>.</p> <p>We are working hard to ensure we are able to provide safe access to these facilities in line with the latest government advice. The safety and wellbeing of our staff and students is our highest priority and we will be providing health and safety briefings as part of your induction.</p> <h2>Our labs and equipment</h2><div class="tabAccordionContainer">  <div class="tabPanelContainer">  <div class="tabPanel jsHide"> <h2 class="internalTitle" id="d.en.632296"><a class="accordionLink" href="#"><span> Advanced Isotope Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry Suite</span></a></h2> <div class="tabPanelWrapper"> <p>We study the Earth and Solar System by analysing extraterrestrial and terrestrial samples with the latest techniques of isotopic and elemental analysis. Our researchers' interests range from the prehistory of the Solar System (studying the material from which it was made) through the chronology of the formation process to subsequent evolution of minor bodies and terrestrial planets.</p> <p>Our facilities include:</p> <ul> <li>Clean rooms: We have a class 1,000 clean room facility and a cosmic dust lab;</li> <li>IDLE: Interstellar Dust Laser Explorer is a time-of-flight laser instrument that is used for the in-situ analysis of almost all elements with high spatial resolution, high mass resolution and high sensitivity. Its main purpose is the analysis of interstellar (presolar) grains;</li> <li>MC-ICP-MS: Multi Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer;</li> <li>Noble gas laboratories: A conventional noble gas mass spectrometer system and two multi-collector noble gas mass spectrometers;</li> <li>RELAX and RIMSKI: Refrigerator Enhanced Laser Analyser for Xenon is a unique resonance ionisation mass spectrometer with detection limits of a few tens of atoms.</li> </ul> </div> </div>   <div class="tabPanel jsHide"> <h2 class="internalTitle" id="d.en.632297"><a class="accordionLink" href="#"><span>Basins Seismic and Visualisation Facility</span></a></h2> <div class="tabPanelWrapper"> <p>Software for teaching and research:</p> <ul> <li>We are a Schlumberger centre of excellence and they donate 103 full Petrel licences for seismic interpretation, well log analysis and subsurface mapping project, Petromod and petroleum system analysis planning and management;</li> <li>IHS donate 30 Kingdom licenses for seismic and well interpretation;</li> <li>Ikon Science donate 30 RokDoc licences for rock physics based interpretation;</li> <li>Paradigm Geophysical donate VoxelGeo and Reservoir Navigator;</li> <li>PaleoScan from Eliis to help improve the speed of the seismic interpretation process and 3D model building;</li> <li>OpenDtect is a freeware project that is used for attribute modelling and development of automated 3D feature recognition methodologies;</li> <li>ffA donate GeoTeric for advanced attribute analysis, including spectral decomposition;</li> <li>A variety of GIS and grid manipulation packages including GoCAD, ArcGIS, ERMapper, MapInfo, ERDAS Imagine and GMT are included in research workflows, as are image analysis and mathematical applications such as Matlab;</li> <li>Petroleum Experts' (Petex) Move for data integration and constructing cross-sections and 3D models (value £1,872,217).</li> </ul> <p>We also make use of the supercomputer facilities in Manchester Computing for computationally intensive 3D modelling, such as Dr Emma Finch's Discrete Element models.</p> </div> </div>   <div class="tabPanel jsHide"> <h2 class="internalTitle" id="d.en.681179"><a class="accordionLink" href="#"><span>High Pressure Experimental Petrology</span></a></h2> <div class="tabPanelWrapper"> <p>The Manchester experimental petrology lab has a long history with an amazing list of Alumnus including Bill Fyfe. The laboratory has a number of apparatus for the study of high pressures and temperature phase equilibria:</p> <ul> <li>Multianvil Press: 10 to 25 GPa, 20-1300 °C</li> <li>Piston Cylinder: 1 to 10 GPa, 20-1300 °C</li> <li>Diamond Anvil: 10 to 100 GPa, 20-1300 °C</li> <li>Gas Mixing furnace room pressure controlled atmosphere furnace capable of reaching temperatures of 1700 °C</li> </ul> </div> </div>   <div class="tabPanel jsHide"> <h2 class="internalTitle" id="d.en.677689"><a class="accordionLink" href="#"><span>In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System (IAGOS)</span></a></h2> <div class="tabPanelWrapper"> <p>IAGOS is a Global Research Infrastructure (GRI) that instruments commercially operating Airbus passenger aircraft to provide climate modellers with measurements of greenhouse gases, aerosols and clouds across the globe.</p> </div> </div>   <div class="tabPanel jsHide"> <h2 class="internalTitle" id="d.en.695812"><a class="accordionLink" href="#"><span>Microanalysis facilities</span></a></h2> <div class="tabPanelWrapper"> <p>Analytical equipment:</p> <ul> <li>CAMECA SX100 electron probe microanalyser fitted with five wavelength dispersive spectrometers and an energy dispersive spectrometer for micron-scale analysis of elements from Be to U;</li> <li>Ion probe and noble gas mass spectrometers;</li> <li>Cold cathodoluminescence, UV fluorescence microscopes and fluid inclusion stages;</li> <li>Comprehensive analytical geochemistry facilities including: ICP-MS, ICP-AES, XRF, XRD, pyrolysis and GC-MS;</li> <li>ResLab porosimeter and permeameter for core studies.</li> </ul><div class="sixcol imageFloat floatRight"> <figure class="noIndent"> <img class="lazy" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAPT09AAAACH5BAAAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" data-original="/research/facilities/MicroanalysisFacilities.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="Colourful rock sample viewed under a microscope" /> <noscript><img src="/research/facilities/MicroanalysisFacilities.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="Colourful rock sample viewed under a microscope" /></noscript> </figure> </div> <p>Research is undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Materials, which involves the computed tomography (CT) facility in the Materials Science Centre. Research collaboration is led in Materials by Professor Phil Withers and Professor Peter Lee.</p> <p>The CT facility provides a world-class suite of five complementary imagers over the widest possible range of spatial resolution capabilities. The Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility provides academic and industrial users with access to world-leading characterisation and research CT instrumentation.</p> </div> </div>   <div class="tabPanel jsHide"> <h2 class="internalTitle" id="d.en.695815"><a class="accordionLink" href="#"><span>Rock deformation and petrophysics</span></a></h2> <div class="tabPanelWrapper"> <div class="sixcol imageFloat floatRight"> <figure class="noIndent"> <img class="lazy" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAPT09AAAACH5BAAAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" data-original="/research/facilities/RockDeformation.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="A rock sample with the end disintegrating" /> <noscript><img src="/research/facilities/RockDeformation.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="A rock sample with the end disintegrating" /></noscript> </figure> </div> <p>Manchester has a world leading laboratory with 50 years of experience squashing rocks. We can deform rocks and minerals in compression, extension and torsion up to 1300 °C and 300 MPa. We also can measure porosity, permeability, seismic velocity and electrical conductivity of rocks and minerals at elevated pressures and temperatures. This is achieved using the following equipment:</p> <ul> <li>Paterson Gas rig: 700 to 1300 °C, 300 MPa, High temperature rheology</li> <li>Nimonic: 100 to 700 °C, 200 MPa, Medium temperature rheology</li> <li>Phoenix: 20-200 °C, 200 MPa, Strength and physical properties of reservoir rocks.</li> <li>Big Rig: Room Temp, 500 MPa, Strength and physical properties of reservoir rocks.</li> <li>Green Rig: Room Temp, 500 MPa, Physical properties of reservoir rocks</li> <li>Core Test Rig: 20-200 °C, 60 MPa, Permeability</li> <li>Gas Permeameter: Room Temp, 3 bars, Nitrogen Permeameter</li> <li>Helium Porosimeter: Room Temp</li> </ul> </div> </div>   <div class="tabPanel jsHide"> <h2 class="internalTitle" id="d.en.695818"><a class="accordionLink" href="#"><span>Rock sectioning and sample preparation facility</span></a></h2> <div class="tabPanelWrapper"> <div class="sixcol imageFloat floatRight"> <figure class="noIndent"> <img class="lazy" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAPT09AAAACH5BAAAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" data-original="/research/facilities/RockSectioning.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="Hand holding a thin rock sample slice up to the light" /> <noscript><img src="/research/facilities/RockSectioning.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="Hand holding a thin rock sample slice up to the light" /></noscript> </figure> </div> <p>The techniques of making and using thin sections were developed in the 19th century. The person credited with the invention of the method of producing thin sections is William Nicol (1770-1851) of the University of Edinburgh. The first published paper reporting on the study of thin sections was by Henry Sorby (1826-1908). William Crawford Williamson (1816-1895) of The University of Manchester, after whom our building is named, also played a major role in developing the microscope techniques of studying rocks in thin section.<br /><br />The Rock Sectioning and Sample Preparation Facility in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences provides excellent quality and bespoke rock sample preparation. This is an essential part of the study of Earth and planetary materials. In 2017 our facility saw significant investment, and our laboratory is now equipped with a Logitech (LP50) Auto Precision Lapping Machine and two Kemet Forcipol 300-IV polishing machines. The Department holds extensive collections of thin sections, used in our taught courses and for research by advanced analytical methods. Our geoscience undergraduate students have ample opportunity to have their own thin sections made, particularly during their third year when carrying out their independent mapping (or equivalent) projects.</p> </div> </div>  </div>  </div> <div class="clearfix singleVertPadding"> <a href="/wrc/" > <div class="imagePromo twelvecol last fullSizeUntilLargeMobile"> <figure> <img class="lazy" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAPT09AAAACH5BAAAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" data-original="/research/facilities/WRCPromoWide.jpg" width="768" height="220" alt="The Williamson building on the main University campus" /> <noscript><img src="/research/facilities/WRCPromoWide.jpg" width="768" height="220" alt="The Williamson building on the main University campus" /></noscript> <figcaption class="botLeft noMaxWidth"> <h2 class="largeTitle">Williamson Research Laboratories</h2> </figcaption> </figure> <p>The laboratories acts as a hub for interdisciplinary research in molecular environmental science, and includes our Mineral Analysis Facility and Manchester Analytical Geochemistry Unit.</p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="clearfix singleVertPadding"> <a href="/research/facilities/firs-environmental-research-station/" > <div class="imagePromo twelvecol last fullSizeUntilLargeMobile"> <figure> <img class="lazy" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAPT09AAAACH5BAAAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" data-original="/research/facilities/The-Firs-VR-promo-restored.jpg" width="768" height="220" alt="Plants and trees in botanical gardens " /> <noscript><img src="/research/facilities/The-Firs-VR-promo-restored.jpg" width="768" height="220" alt="Plants and trees in botanical gardens " /></noscript> <figcaption class="botLeft noMaxWidth"> <h2 class="largeTitle">The Firs environmental research station</h2> </figcaption> </figure> <p>Discover the research facilities of the Manchester botanical grounds.</p> </div> </a> </div> <h2>Other facilities</h2><div class="clearfix singleVertPadding"> <a href="http://www.cas.manchester.ac.uk/ncas/amf/" > <div class="imagePromo sixcol fullSizeUntilLargeMobile"> <figure> <img class="lazy" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAPT09AAAACH5BAAAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" data-original="/research/facilities/CASPromo.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="The ozone lidar and other FGAM equipment" /> <noscript><img src="/research/facilities/CASPromo.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="The ozone lidar and other FGAM equipment" /></noscript> <figcaption class="botLeft noMaxWidth"> <h2 class="largeTitle">The Atmospheric Measurement Facility</h2> </figcaption> </figure> <p>The Atmospheric Measurement Facility provides the UK scientific community with up-to-date observations of the atmosphere.</p> </div> </a> <a href="http://www.cas.manchester.ac.uk/ncas/faam/" > <div class="imagePromo sixcol last fullSizeUntilLargeMobile"> <figure> <img class="lazy" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAPT09AAAACH5BAAAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" data-original="/research/facilities/FAAMPromo.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="The FAAM BAE146 Aircraft." /> <noscript><img src="/research/facilities/FAAMPromo.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="The FAAM BAE146 Aircraft." /></noscript> <figcaption class="botLeft noMaxWidth"> <h2 class="largeTitle">The Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurement</h2> </figcaption> </figure> <p>The Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurement consists of a BAEs146 regional jet aircraft, which has been modified for atmospheric research.</p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="clearfix singleVertPadding"> <a href="http://www.soilecosystemecologylab.manchester.ac.uk/" > <div class="imagePromo sixcol fullSizeUntilLargeMobile"> <figure> <img class="lazy" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAPT09AAAACH5BAAAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" data-original="/research/facilities/seel-promo-500x298.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="Soil sample" /> <noscript><img src="/research/facilities/seel-promo-500x298.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="Soil sample" /></noscript> <figcaption class="botLeft noMaxWidth"> <h2 class="largeTitle">Soil and Ecosystem Ecology Lab</h2> </figcaption> </figure> <p>The lab includes facilities for analysis of a range of nutrients, greenhouse gases, root traits and microbial community composition and diversity in soil.</p> </div> </a> <a href="/connect/business-engagement/"> <div class="colourPromo bkgnd-dark-blue sixcol last fullSizeUntilLargeMobile"> <div class="content"> <h2>Support for your business</h2> <p>Find out how our facilities and expertise can support your business needs.</p> <p class="more">Read more</p> </div> </div> </a> </div> </div>   </div>   </div> </article>  <footer class="footerContainer" id="footer" data-swiftype-index="false">  <div class="row tripleVertPadding"> <div class="fourcol footer_col_reduced_width halfSizeUntilLargeMobile"> <h2 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