Tyler B. Coplen, Ph.D.
Dr. Tyler Coplen is the Director of the Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory of the USGS Water Resources Mission Area.
Tyler B. Coplen is an ST scientist in geochemistry. His research focuses on isotope hydrology, development of innovative analytical techniques for isotopic analysis of light elements, provides forensic-quality analytical services to USGS programs, and creates isotopic reference materials for calibration of mass spectrometers and laser absorption spectrometers in isotope laboratories worldwide. In 1974, he joined the U.S. Geological Survey, and in 1978, he set up the Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory, please visit the Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory website. He set up and led the Subcommittee on Natural Isotopic Fractionation (1985–2002) of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) that resulted in a dozen elements being assigned standard atomic-weight values that are intervals, instead of single values, to indicate that atomic-weight values of many elements are not constants of nature.
Professional Experience
Assistant Research Geochemist, University of California, Riverside 1970–1974
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1970, University of Chicago, Department of Geophysical Sciences, Advisor: Prof. Robert N. Clayton
M.S. 1968, University of Chicago, Department of Geophysical Sciences
B.S. 1966, Pacific Lutheran University, Major: Physics
Affiliations and Memberships*
Honorary Member, Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Science and Products
Oxygen isotopes in nitrate: New reference materials for 18O:17O:16O measurements and observations on nitrate-water equilibration Oxygen isotopes in nitrate: New reference materials for 18O:17O:16O measurements and observations on nitrate-water equilibration
Evaluation of the 34S/32S ratio of Soufre de Lacq elemental sulfur isotopic reference material by continuous flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry Evaluation of the 34S/32S ratio of Soufre de Lacq elemental sulfur isotopic reference material by continuous flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry
Two new organic reference materials for δ13C and δ15N measurements and a new value for the δ13C of NBS 22 oil Two new organic reference materials for δ13C and δ15N measurements and a new value for the δ13C of NBS 22 oil
Isotope-abundance variations of selected elements (IUPAC technical report) Isotope-abundance variations of selected elements (IUPAC technical report)
Compilation of minimum and maximum isotope ratios of selected elements in naturally occurring terrestrial materials and reagents Compilation of minimum and maximum isotope ratios of selected elements in naturally occurring terrestrial materials and reagents
Atomic weights of the elements 1999 Atomic weights of the elements 1999
Science and Products
Oxygen isotopes in nitrate: New reference materials for 18O:17O:16O measurements and observations on nitrate-water equilibration Oxygen isotopes in nitrate: New reference materials for 18O:17O:16O measurements and observations on nitrate-water equilibration
Evaluation of the 34S/32S ratio of Soufre de Lacq elemental sulfur isotopic reference material by continuous flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry Evaluation of the 34S/32S ratio of Soufre de Lacq elemental sulfur isotopic reference material by continuous flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry
Two new organic reference materials for δ13C and δ15N measurements and a new value for the δ13C of NBS 22 oil Two new organic reference materials for δ13C and δ15N measurements and a new value for the δ13C of NBS 22 oil
Isotope-abundance variations of selected elements (IUPAC technical report) Isotope-abundance variations of selected elements (IUPAC technical report)
Compilation of minimum and maximum isotope ratios of selected elements in naturally occurring terrestrial materials and reagents Compilation of minimum and maximum isotope ratios of selected elements in naturally occurring terrestrial materials and reagents
Atomic weights of the elements 1999 Atomic weights of the elements 1999
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government