The Preparation and Preliminary Characterisation of Eight Geological MPI‐DING Reference Glasses for In‐Situ Microanalysis

TLDR

MPI‑DING glasses were produced as reference materials for geochemical in‑situ microanalysis. The glasses were made by fusing and stirring 50–100 g of basalt, andesite, komatiite, peridotite, rhyolite, and quartz‑diorite, then characterized using multiple bulk and microanalytical techniques in several laboratories. Analyses show the glasses are homogeneous at μm–mm scales, with minor quench‑crystallization heterogeneities in two komatiitic samples, and provide preliminary reference values for over sixty elements with 1–10 % uncertainties.

Abstract

Eight silicate glasses were prepared by directly fusing and stirring 50‐100 g each of basalt, andesite, komatiite, peridotite, rhyolite, and quartz‐diorite. These are referred to as MPI‐DING glasses and were made for the purpose of providing reference materials for geochemical, in‐situ microanalytical work. Results from various analytical techniques indicate that individual glass fragments are well homogenised with respect to major and trace elements at the μm to mm scale. Heterogeneities due to quench crystallisation of olivine have been observed in small and limited areas of the two komatiitic glasses. In order to obtain concentration values for as many elements as possible, the glasses were analysed by a variety of bulk and microanalytical methods in a number of laboratories. The analytical uncertainties of most elements are estimated to be between 1% and 10%. From the analytical data, preliminary reference values for more than sixty elements were calculated. The analytical uncertainties of most elements are estimated to be between 1% and 10%.