Laser Ablation ICP-MS

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Task Objectives

The objectives are to maintain the laser ablation ICP-MS Facility as a leading analytical facility providing useful analyses for core USGS projects, to evaluate the benefits and limitations of the technique and to develop new methods as required by Mineral Resources Program (MRP) and USGS projects. The overarching objective is to realize the potential of laser ablation with focus on determination of trace elements in minerals and other solid media useful in attaining programmatic goals. Development of calibration standards and proper analytical protocols are a critical component to this task. These method developments will have immediate application in MRP environmental studies that involve the geo-availability of toxic trace elements, and MRP economic geology studies that use trace elements as indicators of geologic processes. The lab will continue to establish new ties with other federal and outside collaborators.

Statement of Work

This year work will continue refining and developing new methods for the trace element and isotopic analyses using Laser Ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS). A major focus of work funded under this task will pertain to the installation and validation of new methods for the new quadrupole ICP-MS added to the laboratory at the end of Fiscal Year 2006. This new ICP-MS will add additional capabilities to the LA-ICP-MS facility and bring added capacity of analyses. Work will continue to support the Geochemical Reference Materials project. Support will be provided to the projects seeking trace element analyses of a variety of materials including sulfides, coral and other carbonates, teeth and bones, biogenic mineral apatite (conodonts), and silicate minerals.

New methods will be investigated for trace elements in quartz, fluid inclusions in quartz, analysis of bulk materials such as ore samples, soils, coals and other materials and analysis of other new materials requested. An inter-programmatic collaboration with the Energy Resources Program for methods development of analysis of coal and coal related materials will begin this year. Work will continue on the improvement of automation and data reduction routines for all LA-ICP-MS analyses. Work will also be directed to further methods development for in-situ isotopic analyses using the multi-collector ICP-MS.

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Mineral Resources	Eastern / Central / Western / Alaska / Minerals Information
Mineral Resources	Crustal Imaging & Characterization / Spatial Data