Facilities — Chico State Skip to Main Content
California State University, Chico

Facilities

The Earth and Environmental Sciences Department maintains several active research labs that involve undergraduate and graduate students in a wide range of applied geological and environmental projects. For further information on these, explore the links to each of the sites below.

  • Student performing research on stormwater biofiltration systems by checking the caps in the bottom of the biofilters

    Aqueous Geochemistry Lab - SCI 427

    Examines the chemical composition of natural waters, including soil water, groundwater, stream water, stormwater, and runoff, and investigating how environmental processes, human activities, and ecological disturbances influence that chemistry.

    Contact: Sandrine Matiasek

  • National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, work with Dr. Mayor

    Atmospheric Science Lab - SCI 212

    Uses laser-based remote sensing systems to measure and analyze the structure, motion, and properties of the atmosphere, especially the lower atmosphere (boundary layer), aerosol fields, and turbulent flows.

    Contact: Shane Mayor

  • Students work to determine origin and identification of rocks and minerals

    Geology Research Lab - SCI 260

    Supports petrographic microscopy, imaging techniques, geochemical analyses, field-based research, and environmental geology investigations.

  • View of Mount Lassen in Lassen Volcanic National Park

    Magma Research Lab - SCI 427A

    A hub for teaching and research in igneous petrology, volcanology, magma processes, and related Earth-material studies, supporting both undergraduates and graduate students.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Lab

Adil Syed works with a PerkinElmer NexION 2000 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS)

Chico State’s ICP-MS Lab is a high-precision geochemical analysis facility operated by the Geochemistry Research Group, using a PerkinElmer NexION 2000B to detect and quantify trace elements, metals, and isotopes in geological, environmental, biological, and industrial samples with exceptional accuracy.

Location
SCI 343

Contact
icpms@csuchico.edu

Scanning Electron Microscopy Lab

Student use the TESCAN VEGA-3 LMU VP scanning electron microscope in the Scanning Electron Microscopy Lab

A shared, campus-wide analytical facility that provides high-resolution imaging and elemental analysis of solids using a TESCAN Vega-3 SEM and EDAX Octane Elect EDS system. It supports research across geology, geobiology, environmental science, biology, chemistry, engineering, and materials science.

Location
SCI 124

Contact
sem@csuchico.edu
530-898-5842

Scanning Electron Microscopy Lab Information