Methodology for the Determination of Trace and Minor Elements in Minerals and Fused Rock Glasses with Laser Ablation Associated with Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-Q-ICPMS)

Abstract

The laser ablation technique, coupled with the use of quadrupole ICPMS equipment, proved a powerful tool for determination of trace elements in minerals. At the University of São Paulo, the technique was implemented for the study of minerals such as olivines, pyroxenes and biotites. The main problem to be tackled is the availability of proper multi-element reference materials usually prepared synthetically as glasses with various compositions by NIST and fused rock glasses by the Max Planck Institute (MPI) and USGS (basalts, andesite, quartz diorite, komatiites). The best tested ones are the NIST glasses, with good homogeneity and reliable compositional data for over 40 elements. Results are here presented that test additional RM’s. NIST 612 and 610 were used for calibration purposes. The best results were obtained for rock glasses USGS basalts BHVO-2G, BIR- 1G and BCR-2G (better homogeneity and recommended values). Our contribution tests especially the MPI komatiites glasses GOR-128 and GOR-132G, basalts KL-2G and ML-3BG, andesite StHs-6/80G and quartz diorite T-1G, discussing homogeneity issues and providing new data. There is a need for additional preparation of reliable reference materials.