Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Virtually any type of natural or synthetic sample can be introduced into the plasma of an Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and the chemical composition determined using the abundance of the isotopes of elements ionized in a plasma. ICP-MS now plays an essential role in many geological studies of Earth and planetary systems for the provision of elemental and isotopic data.  These data provide a means to understand rocks in a variety of geological environments, which include the formation of ore deposits (i.e., mining and mineral exploration), environmental monitoring (i.e, water quality and mine tailings) and fluid-rock interactions (i.e., aquifers, petroleum, soils). The ICP-MS offers many advantages over other instrumental techniques used in geological studies as it allows the elemental analysis of gases, liquids, or solids.  In addition to flexible sampling capabilities, very low detection limits (parts per trillion -ppt) can be attained for most elements with ICP-MS. There are factors inherent in instrument design, however that preclude the routine analysis of several elements important in geological research. The instrument in this proposal uses a new design to allow the routine analysis of almost all elements important in geological research, which were not measurable in previous instruments. Without this system, our current analytical facilities cannot meet our research goals.   This instrument will allow us to establish the spatial and temporal variations, the possible source minerals for the ore-forming systems, and the trace signature of the typical mineralizing systems, leading to the interpretation of the mechanisms of ore formation. This instrument will provide information that will be essential in collaborative projects involving new exploration techniques for future base metal mineral deposits. Our philosophy in the lab is that all researchers do their own analyses with direction from our lab manager.  Consequently, all the researchers involved in our projects will be trained in the use of the proposed reaction cell/collisional ICP-MS, thereby remaining current in analytical geochemical techniques.