Research techniques

ICP-MS

 Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a powerful tool to study the chemical composition of solid or liquid samples. The introduced sample material is ionised in a plasma and then separated by the mass-to-charge ratio of the different ions created. With ICP-MS it is not only possible to measure several elements almost simultaneously it also covers a large concentration range spanning the ppt to ppm level. Due to these advantages, we use ICP-MS to study the trace elemental composition of volcanic ash leachates and seawater.      

LA-ICP-MS

Laser Ablation – Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a rapid analytical method that allows us to investigate isotopic and elemental compositions of solid samples at ultra-high resolutions (down to ppb level). The surface of the sample is first ablated into particles which are transported to the plasma torch for ionisation. Once ionised, the particles are introduced to a mass spectrometer for elemental and isotopic analysis. LA-ICP-MS requires little to no sample preparation and can measure multiple elements simultaneously making it an extremely powerful and efficient technique for measuring the trace, minor and major elemental, and stable isotope compositions of carbonate samples.