Acquisition of LA-ICP-MS Facilities for Geochemical Research

9904323

Seyfried

This grant supports the acquisition and development of a laser ablation (LA)-ICP-MS facility for geochemical research in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Minnesota. Specifically, funds will be used to acquire a quadrupole-based ICP-MS equipped with a UV laser system for microscale sampling of solid materials. Owing to recent advances in the design and performance of laser technology, together with the striking improvements in sensitivity and signal processing characteristics of modern ICP-MS instruments, a wide range of research initiatives will now be possible that relate well to on-going and future activities in geochemistry at Minnesota. Research projects that will make use of the new ICP-MS include: experimental determinations of mineral-fluid equilibria and kinetics in mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) at ambient temperatures and pressures; development of yittria-stabilized zirconia ceramic membranes for use as pH and redox electrodes at elevated temperatures and pressures; studies of trace element zoning in metamorphic minerals; geochemical analysis of experimental run products from the multi-anvil press; and investigations of the microscale distribution of trace elements in biogenic carbonates.

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