Advancing micro-analytical isotopic and trace-element ICP-MS techniques for future applications to ore genesis and exploration

岩浆系统及其伴生矿床是长期事件的最终产物，这些事件导致复杂多样的地球化学过程和源输入特征。虽然全岩（散装）分析提供了一阶评估，可以用来产生很大的影响，有一个不断增长的需要，以评估系统的异质性，深入到丰富的信息中所包含的矿物规模记录的岩浆和成矿系统。为了询问这些矿物规模的记录，示踪剂同位素系统（如Lu-Hf，Sm-Nd，Rb-Sr，Pb-Pb）和微量元素数据需要测量的精度高于系统的变化，同时实现空间分辨率，可以链接到详细的岩相学和地质年代学记录。对于地球科学中的许多同位素和微量元素分析，电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ICP-MS）是一种多功能工具。然而，传统的样品引入方法存在明显的局限性，这些局限性来自于低体积的材料、低元素丰度或缺乏充分表征的参考材料。直到最近，这些限制已经留下了相当数量的高分辨率由Teledyne-CETAC Technologies开发的新型MVX-7100 ul工作站为ICP-MS分析提供了新颖的样品引入技术，其利用与标准溶液分析方法相比可以减少至少一个数量级的材料量，同时在同位素比率测定中保持相当的精确度和准确度水平。这一技术飞跃实现了分析同位素系统和样品中的微量元素的可能性，这些样品以前被认为丰度太低，并有可能对地球化学分析产生重大影响。现在面临的挑战是将概念验证转化为科学研究和工业应用的常规方法。该项目的目的是提供最先进的MVX-7100 ul工作站技术和最终用户应用之间的过渡。这将通过以下方式实现：1.定义地球科学中通常用于地球化学分析的低体积或低浓度辅助相的测量能力;2.探索利用同位素示踪剂（如Lu-Hf，Sm-Nd，Rb-Sr，Pb-Pb）在非常规矿物相中进行研究的新途径，其中感兴趣的元素以低丰度存在;3.改进地球科学中广泛使用的微量分析工作所需参考材料的特性;4.开发将新数据集与岩相学和U-Pb地质年代学数据联系起来的有效方法，以前所未有的细节探索当前岩浆和成矿系统的范例和问题。项目结果将反馈给产品开发商和CASE合作伙伴Teledyne-CETAC Technologies，以提高MVX-7100 ul工作站的能力和效率。

Magmatic systems and their associated ore deposits are the end-products of protracted events that lead to complex and diverse signatures of geochemical processes and source inputs. Although whole-rock (bulk) analyses provide first-order assessments that can be used to great effect, there is an ever increasing need to assess system heterogeneity by delving into the wealth of information contained in the mineral-scale records of magmatic and ore forming systems. In order to interrogate these mineral-scale records, tracer isotopic systems (e.g. Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, Pb-Pb) and trace element data need to be measured at a level of precision greater than system variations, whilst simultaneously achieving a spatial resolution that can be linked to detailed petrographic and geochronological records. For many isotopic and trace element analyses throughout the Earth Sciences, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is the versatile tool of choice. However, there are significant limitations to conventional methods of sample introduction that arise from low volumes of material, low elemental abundance, or the absence of well characterised reference materials. Until recently, these limitations have left considerable amounts of high resolution (spatial resolution or analytical precision) geological information 'off-limits'.The new MVX-7100ul workstation developed by Teledyne-CETAC Technologies provides novel sample introduction technology for ICP-MS analysis that utilises a material quantity that can be reduced by at least an order of magnitude compared to standard solution analysis methods, whilst maintaining comparable levels of precision and accuracy in isotopic ratio determination. This technological leap realises the possibility to analyse isotopic systems andtrace elements within samples previously thought to be present at too low an abundance and has the potential to have major impact in geochemical analysis. The challenge now faced is to turn a proof of concept into routine methods for both scientific research and industry application.The aim of this project is to provide the transition between the state-of-the-art MVX-7100ul workstation technology and end-user applications. This will be achieved by:1. Defining measurement capabilities in low volumes or low concentrations of accessory phases commonly used for geochemical analyses within the Earth Sciences;2. Exploring new avenues of research utilising isotopic tracers (e.g. Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, Pb-Pb) in non-conventional mineral phases where the elements of interest occur in low abundance;3. Improving characterisation of widely-used reference materials required throughout Earth sciences for micro-analytical work;4. Developing effective ways of linking your novel data sets to petrographic and U-Pb geochronological data to explore current paradigms and issues surrounding magmatic and ore forming systems in unprecedented detail.The project outcomes will be fed back to the product developer and CASE partner Teledyne-CETAC Technologies to improve capability and efficiency of the MVX-7100ul workstation.