Applications of LA-ICP-MS in the elemental analyses of geological samples

Abstract

Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), which is a rapidly developing analytical technique for the analyses of trace elements and isotopes, plays an important role in advancing the study of Earth science, especially with respect to micro-geochemistry. This article reviews the application of LA-ICP-MS in the elemental analysis of solid geological samples. Although LA-ICP-MS has been widely used in the spatial resolution analysis of element compositions and rapid bulk analysis of whole-rock and soil samples, the analysis accuracy is restricted by numerous factors, including the instrumental conditions, the elemental fractionation and matrix effects, the lack of sufficient matrix-matched reference materials, and the strategies for quantitative calibration and sensitivity drift correction. According to the type of samples and the analyte elements, the analysis accuracy can be improved through the optimization of instrument conditions and the adoption of suitable correction strategies and reference materials.