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
Filter Total Items: 18
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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
Despite a rapidly growing literature on analytical methods and field applications of O isotope-ratio measurements of NO3− in environmental studies, there is evidence that the reported data may not be comparable because reference materials with widely varying δ18O values have not been readily available. To address this problem, we prepared large quantities of two nitrate salts with...
Authors
J.K. Böhlke, S.J. Mroczkowski, T.B. Coplen
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
Soufre de Lacq elemental sulfur reference material (IAEA-S-4) isotopically is homogeneous in amounts as small as 41 ??g as determined by continuous flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. The ??34S value for this reference material is +16.90 ?? 0.12??? (1??) on a scale (Vienna Can??on Diablo troilite, VCDT) where IAEA-S-1 Ag2S is -0.3??? and IAEA-S-2 Ag2S is +22.67???. Published by...
Authors
H. P. Qi, T.B. Coplen
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
Analytical grade L-glutamic acid is chemically stable and has a C/N mole ratio of 5, which is close to that of many of natural biological materials, such as blood and animal tissue. Two L-glutamic acid reference materials with substantially different 13C and 15N abundances have been prepared for use as organic reference materials for C and N isotopic measurements. USGS40 is analytical...
Authors
Haiping Qi, Tyler B. Coplen, Heike Geilmann, Willi A. Brand, J.K. Böhlke
Isotope-abundance variations of selected elements (IUPAC technical report) Isotope-abundance variations of selected elements (IUPAC technical report)
Documented variations in the isotopic compositions of some chemical elements are responsible for expanded uncertainties in the standard atomic weights published by the Commission on Atomic Weights and Isotopic Abundances of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. This report summarizes reported variations in the isotopic compositions of 20 elements that are due to physical...
Authors
T.B. Coplen, J.K. Böhlke, P. De Bievre, T. Ding, N.E. Holden, J.A. Hopple, H.R. Krouse, A. Lamberty, H.S. Peiser, K. Revesz, S.E. Rieder, K.J.R. Rosman, E. Roth, P.D.P. Taylor, R.D. Vocke, Y.K. Xiao
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
Documented variations in the isotopic compositions of some chemical elements are responsible for expanded uncertainties in the standard atomic weights published by the Commission on Atomic Weights and Isotopic Abundances of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. This report summarizes reported variations in the isotopic compositions of 20 elements that are due to physical...
Authors
T.B. Coplen, J.A. Hopple, J.K. Böhlke, H.S. Peiser, S.E. Rieder, H.R. Krouse, K.J.R. Rosman, T. Ding, R.D. Vocke, K.M. Revesz, A. Lamberty, P. Taylor, P. De Bievre
Atomic weights of the elements 1999 Atomic weights of the elements 1999
The biennial review of atomic-weight, Ar(E), determinations and other cognate data have resulted in changes for the standard atomic weights of the following elements: Presented are updated tables of the standard atomic weights and their uncertainties estimated by combining experimental uncertainties and terrestrial variabilities. In addition, this report again contains an updated table...
Authors
T.B. Coplen
Atomic weights of the elements 1999 Atomic weights of the elements 1999
The biennial review of atomic-weight, Ar(E), determinations and other cognate data have resulted in changes for the standard atomic weights of the following elements: from to nitrogen 14.006 74??0.000 07 14.0067??0.0002 sulfur 32.066??0.006 32.065??0.005 chlorine 35.4527??0.0009 35.453??0.002 germanium 72.61??0.02 72.64??0.01 xenon 131.29??0.02 131.293??0.006 erbium 167.26??0.03 167.259...
Authors
T.B. Coplen
Distribution of oxygen-18 and deuteriun in river waters across the United States Distribution of oxygen-18 and deuteriun in river waters across the United States
Reconstruction of continental palaeoclimate and palaeohydrology is currently hampered by limited information about isotopic patterns in the modern hydrologic cycle. To remedy this situation and to provide baseline data for other isotope hydrology studies, more than 4800, depth- and width-integrated, stream samples from 391 selected sites within the USGS National Stream Quality Accounting...
Authors
Carol Kendall, Tyler B. Coplen
Use of deuterated water as a conservative artificial ground water tracer Use of deuterated water as a conservative artificial ground water tracer
Conservative tracers are necessary to obtain groundwater transport velocities at the field scale. Deuterated water is an effective tracer for this purpose due to its similarity to water, chemical stability, non-reactivity, ease of handling and sampling, relatively neutral buoyancy, and reasonable price. Reliable detection limits of 0.1 mg deuterium/L may be obtained in field tests. A...
Authors
M.W. Becker, T.B. Coplen
An interlaboratory study to test instrument performance of hydrogen dual-inlet isotope-ratio mass spectrometers An interlaboratory study to test instrument performance of hydrogen dual-inlet isotope-ratio mass spectrometers
An interlaboratory comparison of forty isotope-ratio mass spectrometers of different ages from several vendors has been performed to test 2H/1H performance with hydrogen gases of three different isotopic compositions. The isotope-ratio results (unsufficiently corrected for H3 + contribution to the m/z = 3 collector, uncorrected for valve leakage in the change-over valves, etc.) expressed...
Authors
Willi A. Brand, T.B. Coplen
Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios for selected sites of the U.S. Geological Survey's NASQAN and benchmark surface-water networks Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios for selected sites of the U.S. Geological Survey's NASQAN and benchmark surface-water networks
Increasingly, hydrologic studies require information on the isotopic composition of natural waters. This report presents stable hydrogen (delta2H) and oxygen isotope ratios (delta18O) from 391 selected sites of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) and BENCHMARK surface water networks collected during the years 1984-1987. Depth-integrated...
Authors
Tyler B. Coplen, Carol Kendall
A guide for the laboratory information management system (LIMS) for light stable isotopes--Versions 7 and 8 A guide for the laboratory information management system (LIMS) for light stable isotopes--Versions 7 and 8
The reliability and accuracy of isotopic data can be improved by utilizing database software to (i) store information about samples, (ii) store the results of mass spectrometric isotope-ratio analyses of samples, (iii) calculate analytical results using standardized algorithms stored in a database, (iv) normalize stable isotopic data to international scales using isotopic reference...
Authors
Tyler B. Coplen
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 18
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 153
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
Despite a rapidly growing literature on analytical methods and field applications of O isotope-ratio measurements of NO3− in environmental studies, there is evidence that the reported data may not be comparable because reference materials with widely varying δ18O values have not been readily available. To address this problem, we prepared large quantities of two nitrate salts with...
Authors
J.K. Böhlke, S.J. Mroczkowski, T.B. Coplen
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
Soufre de Lacq elemental sulfur reference material (IAEA-S-4) isotopically is homogeneous in amounts as small as 41 ??g as determined by continuous flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. The ??34S value for this reference material is +16.90 ?? 0.12??? (1??) on a scale (Vienna Can??on Diablo troilite, VCDT) where IAEA-S-1 Ag2S is -0.3??? and IAEA-S-2 Ag2S is +22.67???. Published by...
Authors
H. P. Qi, T.B. Coplen
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
Analytical grade L-glutamic acid is chemically stable and has a C/N mole ratio of 5, which is close to that of many of natural biological materials, such as blood and animal tissue. Two L-glutamic acid reference materials with substantially different 13C and 15N abundances have been prepared for use as organic reference materials for C and N isotopic measurements. USGS40 is analytical...
Authors
Haiping Qi, Tyler B. Coplen, Heike Geilmann, Willi A. Brand, J.K. Böhlke
Isotope-abundance variations of selected elements (IUPAC technical report) Isotope-abundance variations of selected elements (IUPAC technical report)
Documented variations in the isotopic compositions of some chemical elements are responsible for expanded uncertainties in the standard atomic weights published by the Commission on Atomic Weights and Isotopic Abundances of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. This report summarizes reported variations in the isotopic compositions of 20 elements that are due to physical...
Authors
T.B. Coplen, J.K. Böhlke, P. De Bievre, T. Ding, N.E. Holden, J.A. Hopple, H.R. Krouse, A. Lamberty, H.S. Peiser, K. Revesz, S.E. Rieder, K.J.R. Rosman, E. Roth, P.D.P. Taylor, R.D. Vocke, Y.K. Xiao
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
Documented variations in the isotopic compositions of some chemical elements are responsible for expanded uncertainties in the standard atomic weights published by the Commission on Atomic Weights and Isotopic Abundances of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. This report summarizes reported variations in the isotopic compositions of 20 elements that are due to physical...
Authors
T.B. Coplen, J.A. Hopple, J.K. Böhlke, H.S. Peiser, S.E. Rieder, H.R. Krouse, K.J.R. Rosman, T. Ding, R.D. Vocke, K.M. Revesz, A. Lamberty, P. Taylor, P. De Bievre
Atomic weights of the elements 1999 Atomic weights of the elements 1999
The biennial review of atomic-weight, Ar(E), determinations and other cognate data have resulted in changes for the standard atomic weights of the following elements: Presented are updated tables of the standard atomic weights and their uncertainties estimated by combining experimental uncertainties and terrestrial variabilities. In addition, this report again contains an updated table...
Authors
T.B. Coplen
Atomic weights of the elements 1999 Atomic weights of the elements 1999
The biennial review of atomic-weight, Ar(E), determinations and other cognate data have resulted in changes for the standard atomic weights of the following elements: from to nitrogen 14.006 74??0.000 07 14.0067??0.0002 sulfur 32.066??0.006 32.065??0.005 chlorine 35.4527??0.0009 35.453??0.002 germanium 72.61??0.02 72.64??0.01 xenon 131.29??0.02 131.293??0.006 erbium 167.26??0.03 167.259...
Authors
T.B. Coplen
Distribution of oxygen-18 and deuteriun in river waters across the United States Distribution of oxygen-18 and deuteriun in river waters across the United States
Reconstruction of continental palaeoclimate and palaeohydrology is currently hampered by limited information about isotopic patterns in the modern hydrologic cycle. To remedy this situation and to provide baseline data for other isotope hydrology studies, more than 4800, depth- and width-integrated, stream samples from 391 selected sites within the USGS National Stream Quality Accounting...
Authors
Carol Kendall, Tyler B. Coplen
Use of deuterated water as a conservative artificial ground water tracer Use of deuterated water as a conservative artificial ground water tracer
Conservative tracers are necessary to obtain groundwater transport velocities at the field scale. Deuterated water is an effective tracer for this purpose due to its similarity to water, chemical stability, non-reactivity, ease of handling and sampling, relatively neutral buoyancy, and reasonable price. Reliable detection limits of 0.1 mg deuterium/L may be obtained in field tests. A...
Authors
M.W. Becker, T.B. Coplen
An interlaboratory study to test instrument performance of hydrogen dual-inlet isotope-ratio mass spectrometers An interlaboratory study to test instrument performance of hydrogen dual-inlet isotope-ratio mass spectrometers
An interlaboratory comparison of forty isotope-ratio mass spectrometers of different ages from several vendors has been performed to test 2H/1H performance with hydrogen gases of three different isotopic compositions. The isotope-ratio results (unsufficiently corrected for H3 + contribution to the m/z = 3 collector, uncorrected for valve leakage in the change-over valves, etc.) expressed...
Authors
Willi A. Brand, T.B. Coplen
Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios for selected sites of the U.S. Geological Survey's NASQAN and benchmark surface-water networks Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios for selected sites of the U.S. Geological Survey's NASQAN and benchmark surface-water networks
Increasingly, hydrologic studies require information on the isotopic composition of natural waters. This report presents stable hydrogen (delta2H) and oxygen isotope ratios (delta18O) from 391 selected sites of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) and BENCHMARK surface water networks collected during the years 1984-1987. Depth-integrated...
Authors
Tyler B. Coplen, Carol Kendall
A guide for the laboratory information management system (LIMS) for light stable isotopes--Versions 7 and 8 A guide for the laboratory information management system (LIMS) for light stable isotopes--Versions 7 and 8
The reliability and accuracy of isotopic data can be improved by utilizing database software to (i) store information about samples, (ii) store the results of mass spectrometric isotope-ratio analyses of samples, (iii) calculate analytical results using standardized algorithms stored in a database, (iv) normalize stable isotopic data to international scales using isotopic reference...
Authors
Tyler B. Coplen
*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