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Laser Ablation Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) Agilent 8900 Triple Quadrupole
Instrument
Laser ablation system coupled to an inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS) enables fast, non-destructive and precise measurement of ultra-trace abundance level of elements in various minerals and materials as long as the interaction between the laser and the materials provides efficient ablation and aerosol production. Indeed, LA-ICP-MS is one of the most sensitive analytical technique capable of analyzing, simultaneously, a large array of elements at the parts-per-millions (ppm) and parts-per-billions (ppb) range. The solid material is sampled by ablating a spot (2–100 µm) at a particular location or by ablating a line raster across the sample surface. The benefits of a triple quadrupole ICP-MS is that it eliminates mass interferences sometimes present in single quadrupole ICPMS.
The instrument is optimized to provide accurate and precise analysis of trace elements in sulfides, silicates, and oxides as well as sulfur isotope analysis (δ34S) in pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite.
LA-ICP-MS can be used for the analysis of a very broad range of materials including non-geologic materials from material, engineering and life sciences.
Agilent 8900 Triple Quadrupole
Rates
Applications
During prograde metamorphism, sulfur is released through the pyrite to pyrrhotite desulfidation reaction. This process is believed to supply sulfur and metals to metamorphic fluids, potentially contributing to the formation of orogenic gold deposits. A deeper understanding of this reaction can therefore help unravel the mobility of sulfur, gold and other metals in metamorphic fluids.
In this publication The chemical and isotopic characterization of the pyrite to pyrrhotite desulfidation reaction across the metamorphic gradient of a metasedimentary basin (Coldebella et al., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 2025, 392, 119) the researchers used the LA-ICP-MS for the in-situ study of multiple sulfur isotopes and trace elements.
Advances in microanalysis techniques used in geology are enabling better chemical characterization of minerals, a better understanding of ore formation processes, and the identification and targeting of different mineral deposit types.
In this publication Trace element signatures in scheelite associated with various deposit types: A tool for mineral targeting (Miranda et al.; J. Geochem. Explor. 2024, 266, 107555), the researchers used the LA-ICP-MS technique to study samples of scheelite, a mineral composed of calcium and tungsten (CaWO4), temporally and spatially associated with gold in certain orogenic gold deposits around the world.
Concrete, a mixture of cement, aggregates, water and additives, is one of the most widely used construction materials. The right selection of components is crucial to its long-term performance. The technical properties of aggregates are closely linked to the mineralogy, texture and chemistry of the rock from which they are produced.
In this publication Concrete deterioration due to sulfide-bearing aggregates: Mineralogical and chemical characteristics of pyrrhotite in concrete aggregates from Trois-Rivières, Canada (Titon et al.; Constr. Build. Mater., 2025, 458, 139670) the researchers studied by LA-ICP-MS damaged concrete samples and sulfide-bearing pyrite and pyrrhotite aggregates at the source of durability problems in the concrete foundations of many houses in the Trois-Rivières area.
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Sample preparation
Sample preparation for LA-ICP-MS analyses is simple and does not require multisteps sample handling, the surface of the sample does not have to be perfectly flat, a good polish is adequate.