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Use of non-matrix matched reference materials for the accurate analysis of calcium carbonate by LA-ICP-MS

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 06:03 authored by Thompson, JA, Thompson, JM, Karsten GoemannKarsten Goemann, Elena LounejevaElena Lounejeva, David CookeDavid Cooke, Leonid Danyushevsky
Advances in laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry have improved analytical precision for mineral analysis, expanding geological interpretations from LA-ICP-MS results. However, with improvements in analytical precision, systematic errors from calibration can become more obvious and affect data quality. To improve the accuracy of the LA-ICP-MS technique, a fully quantified method is presented for the analysis of minerals with a CaCO3 matrix. An in-house calcite sample (P-Cal) was developed with an independently constrained composition and compared with measurement results from LA-ICP-MS analysis, generated using multiple spot sizes, laser fluences and calibration methods. For many elements, calibration against NIST SRM 612 as a calibration reference material and USGS GSD-1G and USGS BCR-2G as secondary reference materials (calibration B) provided the best accuracy for CaCO3 analysis. Ablation rates and element yield (ICP-MS signal intensity in counts per second for a given isotope relative to the mass fraction of the respective element) in calcium carbonate closely resembles NIST SRM 612; however, the down-hole fractionation curves of USGS BCR-2G (basaltic glass matrix) are a better fit for carbonate. Variations in accuracy for measurements at different spot sizes are negligible compared with the other effects discussed. Additionally, ablation characteristics for powdered crystals versus large fragments produce a negligible effect on the accuracy of the results for calcium carbonate.

Funding

Australian Research Council

AMIRA International Ltd

BHP Billiton Ltd

Newcrest Mining Limited

History

Publication title

Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research

Volume

46

Pagination

97-115

ISSN

1639-4488

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.

Place of publication

United States

Rights statement

© 2021 The Authors. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research © 2021 International Association of Geoanalysts

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Copper ore exploration; Precious (noble) metal ore exploration

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