Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Facility |
Print this page  |
The ICP-MS facility is able to analyse for a wide range of trace elements (Li to U) in most materials that can be taken up into an acid solution, or at the sub-millimeter scale in the solid state using a laser to ablate material. A clean laboratory is available to dissolve material in an acid medium for later analysis.
Either quantitative or qualitative analyses can be performed, the former being standardised against multi-element synthetic certified standard solutions, or NIST glass standards (laser). The size of samples able to fit into the laser ablation sample chamber needs to be discussed, as well as the standards to be used if quantitative data are required.
The Facility is housed in Room 105, Department of Geological Sciences, 13 University Avenue, Upper Campus.
Responsible persons
Dr Andreas Späth
(021) 650 2911 / 650 3667
or
Prof Anton le Roex
(021) 650 2926
The available equipment comprises a Perkin-Elmer Elan600 quadrupole ICP-MS with a Cetax LSX-200 UV laser module. The beam of latter can be set at various diameters from 10 microns to 300 microns. The instrument is fitted with a 48 sample autosampler for solution analysis. A clean laboratory with laminar flow-hood is available for dissolution of material.
RatesResearch purposes
Solution analysis
Geological Sciences
Rock samples: R100 per sample
Water sample: R80 per sample
R50/sample for dissolution if work done by facility staff
R10/sample for water analysis if preparatory work done by facility staff
Other UCT Departments: 1.5 times internal rate
Other tertiary institutions: 2x internal rate
Laser analysisOther tertiary institutions: 2x internal rate
Commercial rates
Solution analysis: R400 per sample
Laser analysis: R200/hour
