The trace element composition in most ultramafic rocks is below the detection limit or very less in concentration. In this case, can we use the isotope data like Sr and Nd ratios for the petrogenesis?
Dera Dr. Muller
The trace elements are below the detection limit, only few element we got it. We try to analyze isotopes like Sr and Nd that to the majority of the samples could detect their isotope ratios. we got few samples of their ratios.
Can we use this data for petrogenesis without reporting the trace elements?
Hi Ranjit, I guess by trace elements you mean the normal suite of lithophile traces, like Ba, Rb, Th, U, Nb, La, Ce other REE, Zr Y and so on? These are effectively quite low to very low in many ultramafic rocks. But ultramafic spans a wide range of rock types, not all of them are as ultra-depleted as a dunite. Most clinopyroxenites have levels of these trace elements well above modern techniques of measurement like 4-acid digestion followed by ICP-MS analysis.
So, to answer your question, you may be able to publish your Sr and Nd isotope results without the accompanying trace element data, but probably not in a journal with a high citation index. But I would suggest that you include the trace element data in any publication, even if it is all or mostly below detection limit. Reviewers may ask that you reanalyse the samples using a more appropriate analytical technique, or a combination of techniques. XRF is OK for the major elements and especially for Cr in ultramafic rocks, which is often not completely digested by the methods used for ICP-MS analysis. A complete fusion followed by acid digestion and ICP-MS is the ideal for the lithophile trace elements, you can get very low detection limits by this method, suitable for most ultramafic rocks.
David
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Engineering
- Modeling