Triple-quadrupole ICP-MS

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We are applying for a triple-quadrupole (“triple-quad” or “QQQ”) ICP-MS, which is a mass spectrometer capable of measuring trace-metal concentrations in a wide variety of geological materials (rocks, waters, soils, carbonates, etc.). A triple-quad can measure trace elements down to very low concentrations (on occasion ppq levels), and can eliminate spectral interferences using its collision cell. As such, it will allow us to use significantly less sample (meaning that temporal resolution in geological sediments can be vastly increased), and we can start using different diagnostic tracers, such as the REE in waters and carbonate materials. The triple-quad ICP-MS will replace our current old ‘normal’ single-quad ICP-MS, hence facilities and technical support are already available. It will primarily be used for analysing natural and experimental waters from weathering reactions, clays and carbonates from the geological record, individual growth lines from molluscs and diagnostic trace elements during biomineralisation. Overall, it would represent a massive step-change in our abilities.