Advanced and Applied Studies on Ultra-Trace Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in Carbonates Using SN-ICPMS and LA-ICPMS

This dissertation presents two state-of-the-art quantitative techniques to determine ultra-trace rare earth elements (REEs) in natural carbonates using solution nebulization-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SN-ICPMS) and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). These techniques were applied to natural carbonates, including corals and stalagmites, to understand volcano eruptions and the impacts on modern biosystems and paleoclimate regimes. The first SN-ICPMS protocol offers accurate and high-precision analysis with a high sample throughput of 8–10 samples/hr. The second protocol improves limits of detection down to sub-ng/g range and promises analyses of carbonate REE profiles at the single digit parts-per-billion levels. These techniques have great potential to benefit our understanding of paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental dynamics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 64 pages
Publication date: 09 August 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This comprehensive dissertation presents two cutting-edge quantitative techniques to accurately determine ultra-trace rare earth elements (REEs) in natural carbonates using solution nebulization-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SN-ICPMS) and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). These techniques have been applied to natural carbonates, including corals and stalagmites, to gain insights into volcano eruptions and their impacts on modern biosystems and paleoclimate regimes.

In the first protocol, a direct measurement approach for femtogram quantity carbonate samples without the need for chemical separation steps is demonstrated. This protocol offers accurate and high-precision analysis (±1.9-6.5%, 2σ) with a remarkable sample throughput of 8-10 samples/hr routinely. The application of this technique to modern Porites corals collected from the South China Sea region reveals intriguing anomalies in REE contents and Al/Ca ratios associated with micro-domain images. These findings suggest that volcanic eruptions can exacerbate the impacts on modern coral reefs.

In the second protocol, a high-sensitivity quantitative open-cell LA-ICPMS technique is established. This technique enables direct sampling on stalagmite surfaces in atmospheric air, significantly improving the limits of detection down to sub-ng/g range. This breakthrough promises the analysis of carbonate REE profiles at the single digit parts-per-billion (ppb) levels. The application of this technique to a 15-cm stalagmite collected from East Timor reveals two distinct peaks of REE contents, indicating the potential presence of volcanic ash preserved within the stalagmite.

Both improved SN-ICPMS and LA-ICPMS techniques showcase the remarkable high-sensitivity and high-temporal-resolution capabilities of carbonate REE analyses for corals and stalagmites. These techniques hold immense potential for other natural carbonates, such as travertine, tufa, and calcite, providing valuable insights into geological processes and environmental history.

In conclusion, this dissertation presents groundbreaking advancements in the field of analytical chemistry, offering new avenues for studying the composition and evolution of natural carbonates. These techniques have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of volcano eruptions, coral reef health, and paleoclimate dynamics, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of Earth's natural systems.

Weight: 142g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811636219
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021