1. Laser Ablation ICP-MS at the University of Gothenburg
Thomas Zack, Johan Hogmalm, Dave Cornell
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

2. Research tool: LA-ICP-MS
Flexibility and innovations possible due to compartmentalization
Microscope
Laser
ICP-MS
Carrier gas
Sample holder
Laser: 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

3. 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)
100 µm, 4 µm
..polyatomic interferences

4. 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

5. 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

6. Method development related to Economic Geology
Trace elements (e.g., Au, PGE) in sulphides

7. 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

8. 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