Composition Determination of Single Fluid Inclusions in Salt Minerals by Laser Ablation ICP-MS

The chemistry of primary fluid inclusions in salt minerals can be used to study brine composition change and environment evolution of the salt lake. In this study, artificial fluid inclusions in quartz microcapillary tubes were used to be calibration samples. We have initially established the method of composition determination of single fluid inclusions in salt minerals by laser ablation ICP-MS, and the calibration curves of the eight common elements (K, Ca, Mg, Sr, Rb, B, Li and Br) in salt mineral inclusions. The correlative coefficient (R2) of the calibration curves was over 0.9991, and the relative standard ranged from 0.13% to 6.2% for K, Ca, Mg, Sr, Rb and Li. Whereas R2 of the calibration curves was 0.9910 and 0.9618 for B and Br respectively, and the relative standard were 4.05% and 29.56%. The calibration curves indicated that the multi-element composition determination method of single fluid inclusion in salt minerals by laser ablation ICP-MS is feasible and accurate. This method has the advantages such as simplicity, speediness, high sensitivity, etc. It is suitable for the composition determination of single fluid inclusions in halite and gypsum from the Lop Nur playa, in Western China.

This is Photomicrograph of microcapillary quartz tube. The capillary thickness is 0.04 mm. Configured standard solution was drawn into the tube, then both ends were quickly sealed using epoxy resin glue. Distance AB and CD show the length of the artificial fluid inclusion that contain multi-element standard solution.