Applicability of laser ablation and partial dissolution ICP-MS techniques on manganese-iron-oxide coatings of stream pebbles to mineral exploration and environmental monitoring.

摘要

Mn Fe-oxide coated stream pebbles have been proposed as an alternative sampling medium for regional geochemical surveys. Partial dissolution and laser ablation microprobe analysis of these coatings were tested in this project to determine the applicability of using oxide coatings for mineral exploration and environmental monitoring projects.;The three areas covered in this project include a Au showing, a base-metal prospect and potentially harmful emissions from an oil refinery. Mn-Fe-oxide coated stream pebbles were systematically collected from stream(s) in each field area and two types of analyses were conducted on the pebble coatings. Partial dissolution Inductively Coupled Plasma.-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and solid sample analysis using Laser Ablation Microprobe-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LAM-ICP-MS) proved successful in detecting the elements relevant to the individual disciplines. Low concentrations of elements in the stream water samples were not able to contribute to this project since most were below the detection limit, and failed the required statistical analysis of variance therefore, were not considered for further discussion. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)