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，这些事件导致地球化学过程和来源输入的复杂和多样的特征。尽管全岩（大块）分析提供了一阶评价，可以起到很大的作用，但通过深入研究岩浆和成矿系统的矿物尺度记录中包含的丰富信息，对系统非均质性进行评估的需求日益增加。为了查询这些矿物尺度的记录，需要以高于系统变化的精度测量示踪同位素系统（例如，Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, Pb-Pb）和微量元素数据，同时实现可以与详细的岩石学和地质年代学记录联系起来的空间分辨率。对于整个地球科学的许多同位素和微量元素分析，电感耦合等离子体质谱（ICP-MS）是选择的通用工具。然而，由于材料体积小、元素丰度低或缺乏表征良好的参考物质，传统的样品导入方法存在显著的局限性。直到最近，这些限制使得大量高分辨率（空间分辨率或分析精度）地质信息成为“禁区”。Teledyne-CETAC Technologies开发的新型MVX-7100ul工作站为ICP-MS分析提供了新颖的样品导入技术，与标准溶液分析方法相比，该技术利用的材料数量可以减少至少一个数量级，同时保持了同位素比测定的精密度和准确性。这一技术飞跃实现了分析以前认为丰度过低的样品中的同位素系统和微量元素的可能性，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-7100ul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 .确定通常用于地球科学地球化学分析的小体积或低浓度附属相的测量能力；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出现；3 .改进整个地球科学中微量分析工作所需的广泛使用的参考物质的特性；开发有效的方法将您的新数据集与岩石学和U-Pb地质年代学数据联系起来，以前所未有的细节探索围绕岩浆和成矿系统的当前范例和问题。项目成果将反馈给产品开发商和CASE合作伙伴Teledyne-CETAC Technologies，以提高MVX-7100ul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.