We provide high-resolution in situ geochemical and isotopic analyses using LA-ICP-MS, a powerful technique for studying geological, environmental, and biological processes. This method enables researchers to investigate diverse Earth system processes at various spatial and temporal scales.

Our services support a wide range of applications, including Tectonics, Ore Deposit Studies, Petrogenesis, Rock-Fluid Interactions, Magma Sources, Metamorphic Events, Tracing Biological Activity, and Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions.

Uranium-Lead (U-Pb)

Applications: Geochronology, zircon dating, and age determination of minerals and rocks.

Lead-Lead (Pb-Pb)

Applications: Isotopic evolution studies and dating of ancient minerals and meteorites.

Strontium (Sr)

Applications: Provenance studies, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and age dating of carbonates and fossils.

Neodymium (Nd)

Applications: Crustal evolution, petrogenesis, and mantle dynamics.

Rubidium-Strontium (Rb-Sr)

Applications: Dating of shear zones, hydrothermal veins, granites, and pegmatites.

Lutetium-Hafnium (Lu-Hf)

Applications: Crust-mantle differentiation, zircon dating, and tracing magmatic processes.

Samarium-Neodymium (Sm-Nd)

Applications: Geochronology and isotopic studies of igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Boron (B)

Applications: Environmental studies, fluid-rock interaction, and marine processes.

Lithium (Li)

Applications: Geochemical studies, fluid processes, and hydrothermal systems.

Sulfur (S)

Applications: Ore deposit studies, tracing biological activity, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction.

General Applications of LA-ICP-MS in Earth Sciences

LA-ICP-MS analytical capabilities provide a comprehensive view of Earth’s history, supporting cutting-edge research in environmental science, geochronology, tectonics, and petrology.

  • Environmental Studies: Trace element and isotopic analysis of carbonates, bones, and other materials help reconstruct past environmental changes, including pollution history and paleoceanography.
  • Geochronology and Tectonics: U-Pb, Sr, Nd, and Hf isotopes are critical for understanding the timing of geological events, from the formation of continental crust to the evolution of tectonic regimes.
  • Isotope Systematics in Fossils: Analyses of Sr, B, and U-Pb isotopes in fossils provide insights into past seawater chemistry, diagenetic processes, and geological time scales.
  • Petrogenesis and Metamorphism: LA-ICP-MS allows detailed study of mineral compositions, aiding in understanding the processes of magma genesis, metamorphism, and crustal evolution.

From tracking environmental changes to dating tectonic events, LA-ICP-MS has transformed how we study the Earth’s history, providing detailed insights into the processes that shape our planet.

For more information on analysis costs, project partnerships, and opportunities for collaborative research, please feel free to get in touch at cristianodeclana@gmail.com OR lana@sun.ac.za.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Detailed Information

1. Trace Element Analysis

  • Capabilities: LA-ICP-MS is particularly effective for analyzing trace elements (ppm to ppb levels) in geological materials, such as zircon, apatite, calcite, and feldspar.
  • Applications:
    • Geochemical Fingerprinting: Trace element compositions can distinguish between different rock types and provide information on the petrogenesis of magmas.
    • Provenance Studies: Trace elements in detrital minerals like zircon, apatite, monazite and garnets can trace sediment sources and sedimentary basin evolution.
    • Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction: Elements like Sr, Mg, and Ba in carbonate minerals can be used to infer past ocean temperatures, salinity, and other environmental conditions.
    • Ore Deposit Studies: Characterizing trace elements in minerals helps in understanding mineralization processes and the formation of economic ore deposits.

2. U-Pb Geochronology

  • Methodology: LA-ICP-MS is widely used for U-Pb dating, especially for minerals like zircon, calcite, cassiterite, coltan, monazite, titanite, and apatite. U and Pb isotopic ratios are measured to determine the age of crystallization or metamorphism.
  • We currently use the Element 2 Sector Field ICP MS for most U-Pb geochronology. The Agillent 8800 triple quadrupole is also available for U-Pb analyses. All the Laser Ablation is done in a RESOLution 193 nm Laser.
  • Applications:
    • Dating of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks: U-Pb dating is fundamental in constraining the ages of igneous intrusions, metamorphic events, and magmatic crystallization.
    • Detrital Zircon Studies: U-Pb dating of detrital zircons provides insights into sedimentary provenance, crustal evolution, and tectonic history.
    • Paleoenvironmental Studies: U-Pb ages in fossils and carbonate rocks, such as Orthoceras, help understand the timing of biotic and environmental events in Earth’s history.

3. Strontium (Sr) Isotopes

  • Isotopes: The most common ratio used in geology is ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, which evolves due to the decay of ⁸⁷Rb.
  • We use the Neoma ICP MS for most Sr isotopes. The Agillent 8800 triple quadrupole is also available for Sr isotope analyses. All the Laser Ablation is done in a RESOLution 193 nm Laser.
  • Applications:
    • Provenance Studies: Variations in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in sediments and fossils can trace the sources of sediments or water bodies and reconstruct past hydrological conditions.
    • Diagenesis and Alteration Studies: Sr isotopes are used to assess post-depositional changes in rocks and fossils, providing insights into the diagenetic history of carbonate rocks.
    • Environmental Reconstructions: Sr isotopes in biogenic carbonates like corals and shells reflect past seawater composition and help in reconstructing marine conditions.

4. Neodymium (Nd) Isotopes

  • Isotopes: The ratio ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd is used to study mantle differentiation and crustal evolution.
  • We use the Neoma ICP MS. The Agillent 8800 triple quadrupole is also available for U-Pb analyses.
  • Applications:
    • Crustal Evolution: Nd isotopes in rocks and minerals are used to track the formation and evolution of continental crust through time, providing insights into tectonic processes.
    • Provenance Studies: Nd isotopes in sedimentary rocks and minerals help identify the sources of sediments, aiding in reconstructing paleo-drainage systems.
    • Petrogenetic Studies: Nd isotopic compositions are key to understanding the formation and evolution of igneous and metamorphic rocks.

5. Hafnium (Hf) Isotopes

  • Isotopes: The ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratio in zircon is commonly used for isotopic studies.
  • We use the Neoma ICP MS for most Hf isotope measurements.
  • Applications:
    • Crust-Mantle Differentiation: Hf isotopes provide insights into the timing and processes of crust formation and recycling through interactions between the mantle and crust.
    • Detrital Zircon Provenance: Hf isotopic compositions in detrital zircons complement U-Pb dating to provide information on the original source rock’s evolution.
    • Magmatic Evolution: Hf isotopes in zircon can reveal magma sources, processes of contamination, and differentiation.

6. Boron (B) Isotopes

  • Isotopes: Boron isotopic ratios (¹¹B/¹⁰B) are sensitive to variations in fluid compositions.
  • Applications:
    • Geothermal Systems: B isotopes are used to track fluid sources and interactions in geothermal and hydrothermal systems.
    • Paleoceanography: B isotopes in marine carbonates are employed to reconstruct past ocean pH and CO₂ levels, providing insights into climate change.
    • Subduction Zone Processes: Variations in B isotopic ratios in volcanic rocks provide evidence of subduction-related processes and slab-fluid interactions.

7. Sulfur (S) Isotopes

  • Isotopes: S isotopes (³⁴S/³²S) are critical for understanding redox processes and biogeochemical cycles.
  • We use the Neoma ICP MS for most S isotopes
  • Applications:
    • Ore Deposit Studies: S isotopes in sulfide minerals help in understanding ore-forming processes and fluid sources, aiding in the exploration of mineral deposits.
    • Environmental Geochemistry: S isotopes are used to trace anthropogenic pollution sources and natural biogeochemical cycles in water systems.
    • Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction: S isotopic studies in carbonate-associated sulfate and pyrite provide information on ancient ocean chemistry and redox conditions.

8. Rb-Sr Dating

Isotopes: The ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr isotope system is a key metric in geological studies. The Rb_Sr decay process allows for the study of isotopic variations in rocks and minerals, which can reveal significant geological events and processes. The method uses the decay of ⁸⁷Rb to ⁸⁷Sr, with a half-life of approximately 48.8 billion years, to date geological materials. The technique measures the ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁷Sr and ⁸⁷Sr/ ⁸⁶Sr ratios to create an isochron plot, where the slope indicates the age of the sample and the intercept gives the initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio. Rb-Sr dating is particularly useful for determining the ages of igneous and metamorphic rocks and reconstructing the thermal histories of geological terrains. It is also effective in studying sedimentary processes when minerals like micas, feldspars, or specific carbonates are present. Accuracy in Rb-Sr dating depends on the sample’s ability to remain a closed system, with no gain or loss of Rb or Sr since formation, ensuring reliable age determinations.

Applications:

Magmatic Studies:

  • Helps determine the source characteristics of magmas by distinguishing between mantle- and crust-derived components.
  • Provides insight into magmatic differentiation processes, such as fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation.
  • Used to date the emplacement of igneous rocks, particularly granites, pegmatites, and volcanic rocks.
  • Traces metasomatic alterations in magmatic systems and their impact on mineralization.

Tectonic Studies:

  • Helps reconstruct the evolution of continental and oceanic crust through isotopic mapping of orogenic belts.
  • Used to date metamorphic and magmatic events associated with subduction zones, rifting, and collisional tectonics.
  • Identifies lithospheric sources and processes involved in crustal reworking.
  • Aids in understanding the isotopic evolution of mantle reservoirs and their influence on continental growth.

Structural Geology:

  • Provides absolute age constraints on fault movements, shear zones, and deformation episodes.
  • Helps track fluid-rock interactions in fault zones by analyzing Rb-Sr systematics in altered minerals.
  • Identifies the timing of metamorphic events linked to deformation and crustal exhumation.
  • Assists in reconstructing the thermal and tectonic history of complex orogenic terrains.

Hydrothermal and Ore Deposit Studies:

  • Determines the role of hydrothermal fluids in ore formation by analyzing alteration minerals.
  • Helps differentiate between magmatic-hydrothermal and sedimentary-hosted ore deposits.
  • Provides age constraints on mineralization events, including vein-hosted and stratiform deposits.
  • Traces the sources of metals and fluids in ore-forming systems using Sr isotopic signatures.

Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) as a Fundamental Tool in Geosciences and Beyond

The versatility of LA-ICP-MS enables researchers to investigate a wide range of Earth system processes across different spatial and temporal scales.

1. Tectonics

  • LA-ICP-MS facilitates geochronological investigations of zircon, monazite, titanite, and other accessory minerals to establish the timing of crustal evolution, subduction events, and continental collisions.
  • Trace element chemistry in detrital minerals provides provenance constraints, revealing sedimentary transport pathways and the evolution of orogenic belts.
  • Isotopic studies, such as Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd, help trace the evolution of lithospheric reservoirs, mantle-crust interactions, and crustal recycling processes.

2. Ore Deposit Studies

  • LA-ICP-MS plays a critical role in mineral exploration by characterizing the trace element composition of ore-forming minerals (e.g., sulfides, oxides, carbonates, and silicates).
  • U-Pb dating of ore-related minerals such as zircon, titanite, rutile, and apatite provides constraints on the timing of mineralization.
  • Metal source tracking through isotope systems (e.g., Pb, Sr, Cu, Zn) aids in understanding fluid evolution and ore genesis.
  • Mapping element distributions within ore minerals helps decipher the physicochemical conditions during ore formation, revealing fluid flow, temperature gradients, and metasomatic processes.

3. Petrogenesis

  • The technique enables precise characterization of igneous and metamorphic rocks by analyzing the elemental and isotopic composition of rock-forming minerals.
  • Trace elements in minerals such as feldspar, pyroxene, amphibole, and garnet help in deciphering magmatic differentiation, fractional crystallization, and partial melting processes.
  • Radiogenic isotope systems (e.g., Rb-Sr, Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd) provide insight into mantle sources, crustal assimilation, and magma evolution.

4. Rock-Fluid Interactions

  • LA-ICP-MS is instrumental in studying fluid-induced alteration in rocks by analyzing fluid inclusions, alteration halos, and vein minerals.
  • The technique helps quantify element mobility and redistribution due to hydrothermal activity, metasomatism, and diagenesis.
  • Isotopic signatures in minerals like calcite, apatite, and sulfates provide constraints on fluid sources, pathways, and temperatures in hydrothermal systems and subduction zones.

5. Magma Sources

  • The isotopic composition of igneous minerals helps distinguish between mantle and crustal contributions to magmatic systems.
  • In situ analyses of melt inclusions in phenocrysts reveal pre-eruptive conditions, volatile contents, and magma evolution.
  • Fractionation trends in rare earth elements (REE) and high-field strength elements (HFSE) provide constraints on melting depths, magma mixing, and assimilation processes.

6. Metamorphic Events

  • LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology of metamorphic minerals such as monazite, titanite, rutile, and zircon provides high-resolution constraints on the timing and duration of metamorphic episodes.
  • Major and trace element mapping of metamorphic minerals elucidates pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions, helping reconstruct metamorphic paths.
  • Rare earth element (REE) partitioning in garnet, zircon, and allanite helps determine metamorphic fluid interactions and element mobility.

7. Tracing Biological Activity

  • LA-ICP-MS is increasingly used in biogeochemistry to trace metal incorporation in biological systems, such as fossilized biominerals and modern organisms.
  • The technique aids in reconstructing biogeochemical cycles by analyzing elemental signatures in teeth, bones, shells, and corals.
  • Calcium, strontium, and rare earth element anomalies in biological samples help distinguish between diagenetic and biogenic signatures in fossils.

8. Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions

  • LA-ICP-MS enables high-precision analysis of trace elements and isotopic compositions in fossilized shells, corals, and carbonate sediments to infer past ocean chemistry, temperature fluctuations, and diagenetic overprints.
  • Sr, Ca, and Mg isotope analyses help track seawater evolution, glacio-eustatic changes, and upwelling conditions in ancient marine environments.
  • The distribution of redox-sensitive elements (e.g., Ce, U, Mo, V) in marine carbonates and phosphates provides insights into paleo-oxygenation levels and anoxic events in Earth’s history.
  • U-Pb dating of fossils, carbonate cements, and speleothems enables precise age constraints on climate shifts, extinction events, and biotic turnovers.