Evaluation of pneumatic nebulization and ns-laser ablation ICP-MS for bulk elemental analysis and 2-dimensional element mapping of iron meteorites

Abstract

The capabilities and limitations of nanosecond laser ablation ICP-mass spectrometry for bulk and spatially resolved (elemental mapping) analysis of iron meteorites were assessed. The quantitative data obtained were compared to those obtained i.via multi-element solution ICP-MS (after digestion) relying on external calibration and, ii. high-accuracy determination of selected platinum group elements using solution ICP-MS after target element isolation using anion exchange chromatography and deploying isotope dilution. Results generated by the different methods described show good agreement. Significant matrix effects were observed to affect the results of the ns-LA-ICP-MS analysis of iron meteorites, making quantification via a matrix-matched standard a prerequisite. Careless use of intensity distribution maps without proper correction for laser-solid coupling efficiency can lead to incorrect interpretation of the element maps. ns-LA-ICP-MS was shown to be suitable for fast and quasi-nondestructive analysis of iron meteorites, not only homogeneous ataxites and hexahedrites, but also more heterogeneous ones, when considering ablated areas of a sufficient size. In the context of elemental mapping using LA-ICP-MS, Pearson's product-moment correlation analysis was demonstrated to be a powerful tool that can provide valuable information on the fractionation of the elements in the parent bodies of meteorites

Effect of parent body evolution on equilibrium and kinetic isotope fractionation: a combined Ni and Fe isotope study of iron and stony-iron meteorites

“…Four iron meteorites (Chinga IVB-an, Sikhote-Alin IIB, Elga IIE and Darinskoe IIC) were obtained from the Central Siberian Geological Museum, V. S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Russia. A selection of these iron meteorites were characterized for major and trace element concentrations in a previous work (Chernonozhkin et al, 2014). Three mesosiderites, EET 87500, RKPA 79015 and QUE 93001 and main group pallasite CMS 04071 were provided from the Antarctic meteorite collection by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).…”

Development and Applications of a Laboratory Micro X-ray Fluorescence (μXRF) Spectrometer Using Monochromatic Excitation for Quantitative Elemental Analysis

“…For more information regarding the influence of higherorder effects on the total fluorescence intensity, the authors would like to refer the reader to Schoonjans et al 23 The concentration values obtained are in good agreement with quantified results from the same sample determined by other analytical techniques, including LA-ICP-MS, showing the quantitative performance of this laboratory instrument, based on monochromatic excitation. 21,43 Because of the good agreement with other analytical techniques, the nondestructive nature of μXRF imaging, and the high sensitivity of this laboratory instrument based on monochromatic excitation, it …”

PLANET TOPERS: Planets, Tracing the Transfer, Origin, Preservation, and Evolution of their ReservoirS

“…Analytical tools developed at Ghent University, at VUB, and at ULB (Izmer et al 2013;Chernonozhkin et al 2014;Costas-Rodriguez et al 2014;Van Hoecke et al 2014;Van Malderen et al 2015a, b) have been used in the analysis of meteorites and micrometeorites that sample early Solar System planetesimals. In particular, we have used high-precision isotopic analyses by multi-collector ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry/Spectrometer).…”

“…Commercially available LA-ICP-MS (LA stands for Laser Ablation) instrumentation was used for mapping of the two-dimensional distribution of target elements over the surface of, among other, iron meteorites or a late Archean impact spherule layer (Izmer et al 2013;Chernonozhkin et al 2014). Computer fluid dynamics was relied on for designing an ultra-fast ablation cell (Van Malderen et al 2015a) and of novel data acquisition/handling protocols (Van Malderen et al 2015b) to extend the capabilities of laser ablation ICP-MS in this context ensuring a higher sample throughput and improved spatial resolution.…”