Sample Submission

LAM+ accepts requests for technical screening of sedimentary, geological, and associated materials. Analyses may involve imaging, scanning, compositional characterisation, curation, and integration with artificial intelligence.

Before submitting

Please have the following information ready before filling in the form:

• Original sample identification;
• Project, institution, or source collection;
• Material type and physical condition (dry, wet, consolidated, unconsolidated);
• Approximate quantity, dimensions, or volume;
• Requested analysis or analyses;
• Name and contact of the responsible person;
• Notes on preservation, handling, contamination, or usage restrictions.

Sample types

LAM+ may evaluate, among other materials:

• Whole or sectioned sediment cores (open or closed);
• Raw or prepared discrete sediment samples;
• Other geological materials;
• Or other materials that may be assessed according to technical feasibility.

Acceptance of each material depends on prior technical screening.

Possible analytical workflows

Samples may be assessed for one or more of the following analytical routes, subject to technical feasibility:

• VNIR or SWIR hyperspectral imaging (or both);
• RGB/CIELab colour imaging;
• Photographic record and curation;
• High-resolution XRF core scanning;
• Benchtop or portable XRF;
• SEM-EDS;
• Data processing and artificial intelligence integration.

Preparation and identification

Samples must:

• Be clearly labelled and properly packaged;
• Preserve spatial orientation where applicable;
• Be accompanied by minimum provenance information;
• Include prior notice of any biosafety, contamination, or disposal restrictions.

For sediment cores, please provide when possible: length, diameter, condition (open/closed), top-to-base orientation, and history of prior analyses or preparation.

What happens after registration

The LAM+ team will carry out a preliminary screening and may contact you to request additional information, discuss sample preparation, assess technical feasibility, define the analytical workflow, and arrange physical delivery of the sample, where applicable.