Upgrading a Raman spectroscopic system for earth science studies

2008年，为里贾纳大学地质系的地球流体实验室购买了一套拉曼光谱系统。经过12年的连续使用，514 nm激光器的预期寿命即将结束，软件和相关数据库也需要升级。拉曼光谱的原位、非破坏性的性质使其成为各种地球科学领域的通用工具。升级后的拉曼系统将继续支持对地球流体和矿物成分的分析、矿物鉴定以及矿物晶体结构的表征。从这些研究中获得的数据可以用来为跨越岩浆、变质、沉积、热液和地表环境的各种地质研究提供信息。 地球流体实验室的拉曼系统主要被主要申请者(CHI)用于研究流体包裹体，特别是挥发物和溶质成分，并结合加热-冷冻阶段。建立了一种创新的低温拉曼光谱方法，并将其用于研究不同环境中的流体包裹体，包括沉积、岩浆和变质环境。升级后的拉曼系统将继续用于研究与矿化有关的流体包裹体，特别是阿萨巴斯卡盆地与不整合有关的铀矿床。这与主要申请者的主要研究重点一致，这一重点得到了当前和以前的NSERC-DGs以及NSERC-CRD的支持。该设施还将用于研究其他关键和战略金属(稀土元素、锂和钴)及其各自的矿化系统，重点是萨斯喀彻温省的矿化系统。这将包括强调与铀有关的稀土矿化以及可能与碳酸盐有关的稀土矿化。此外，对石墨和黄铁矿的晶体结构的研究也将得到支持，这可能被用来估计成矿的P-T条件。 科学学院的同事以及三位共同申请者(Raharimahefa、Robbins和McBeth)也将使用升级后的拉曼系统。拉哈里马赫法将利用它来研究橄榄石中流体和熔融包裹体的挥发性成分和水分含量。拉曼数据将与其他地球化学和地球物理数据结合起来，研究与东非裂谷系统有关的第四纪火山作用和深部过程。罗宾斯和麦克贝斯将使用该设施进行环境研究。这些研究可包括对来自湖泊和海洋沉积物、微生物垫、矿山废物的矿物样品进行表征，确定氧-缺氧界面周围的硫酸盐和铁矿物相，以及对矿物相中的杂质进行量化。拉曼数据将与其他地球化学和微生物数据相结合，以提供研究环境中生物地球化学循环的整体视图。

In 2008, a Raman spectroscopic system was purchased for the Geofluids Lab in the Department of Geology, University of Regina. After 12 years of continual usage, the 514 nm laser is approaching the end of its expected life span, and the software and associated database also require upgrading. The in-situ, non-destructive nature of Raman spectroscopy makes it a versatile tool for various earth science fields. The upgraded Raman system will continue to support the analysis of geofluid and mineral compositions, mineral identification, and the characterization of mineral crystal structures. Data obtained from these studies can be used to inform various geological studies that span magmatic, metamorphic, sedimentary, hydrothermal, and surface environments. The Raman system in the Geofluids Lab has been used mainly by the principal applicant (Chi) to study fluid inclusions, particularly volatiles and solute composition, in combination with the heating-freezing stage. An innovative cryogenic Raman spectroscopy method has been established and applied to study fluid inclusions from different environments, including sedimentary, magmatic, and metamorphic environments. The upgraded Raman system will continue to be used in the study of fluid inclusions associated with mineralization, especially unconformity-related uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin. This is in line with the principal applicant's main research focus that is supported by current and previous NSERC-DGs as well as NSERC-CRDs. The facility will also be used to study other critical and strategic metals (rare earth element (REE), Li, and Co), and their respective mineralization systems with a focus on those in Saskatchewan. This will include an emphasis on REE mineralization associated with uranium and those potentially associated with carbonatites. Additionally, studies of the crystal structures of graphite and pyrite, which may be used to estimate the P-T conditions of mineralization, will be supported. The upgraded Raman system will also be utilized by colleagues in the Faculty of Science, and the three co-applicants (Raharimahefa, Robbins and McBeth). It will be used by Raharimahefa to study the volatile composition and water content of fluid and melt inclusions in olivine. The Raman data will be combined with other geochemical and geophysical data to investigate Quaternary volcanism and deep processes in relation to the East African Rift System. Robbins and McBeth will use the facility for environmental studies. These studies may include characterization of mineral samples from lacustrine and marine sediments, microbial mats, mine wastes, identification of sulfidic and iron mineral phases around oxic-anoxic interfaces, and quantification of impurities within mineral phases. The Raman data will be integrated with other geochemical and microbiological data to provide a holistic view of biogeochemical cycling in the study environments.