Laser Ablation ICP-MS at the University of Gothenburg Thomas Zack, Johan Hogmalm, Dave Cornell Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Research tool: LA-ICP-MS Flexibility and innovations possible due to compartmentalization Microscope Laser ICP-MS Carrier gas Sample holder Laser: 213 nm Nd:YAG laser, fully automized stage control (big samples, fast wash-out, better sensitivity) Sample holder: Large Format Cell (10 x 10 cm) Carrier gas: Addition of nitrogen to enhance transport efficiency ICP-MS: Agilent 7500a; 2nd vacuum pump for enhanced sensitivity
Current status and future plan 32S16O+ 16O2+ 32S+ 48Ca/48Ti, 36Ar12C Reaction gas (O2) 32S+ 32S16O+ Q1 (m/z 32) – rejects all ions apart from m/z 32 Q2 (m/z 48) – rejects all ions apart from m/z 48 2014? Agilent 8800 Tackle „difficult elements“: …S, P, Cl, As, Se, Br 10x more sensitive! .polyatomic interferences + 2006 Agilent 7500a Li to U (not H, C, N, O) ng/g @ 100 µm, µg/g @ 4 µm ..polyatomic interferences
Method development related to Economic Geology Halogens (Br, Cl) in minerals Origin of hydrothermal fluids Breakthroughs: Reduction of background (Br trap) Detection limit for Br <5 ppm Testing of glass standards for Br and Cl Köhler et al 2008
Method development related to Economic Geology Trace elements (e.g., Au, PGE) in sulphides Invisible gold, ore deposit models, geometallurgy Breakthroughs: Availibility of excellent sulphide standards (Mass-1, Po-724) Standardization without EMP data
Method development related to Economic Geology Trace elements (e.g., Au, PGE) in sulphides
Method development related to Economic Geology Other projects Accessory mineral dating (rutile, monazite, titanite) Magnetite fingerprinting Gold in rutile S and Pb isotopes Trace element mapping Large et al 2009
Collaborations related to Economic Geology Boliden Larver 2 master CGS Bushveld Hammond Tasman Norra Kärre 1 master Agnico Eagle Dalsland 1 master LKAB Kiruna 1 bachelor Du Pont world-wide McLimans Vedanta Gamsberg Moses