Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

PC03 Undergraduate Education

Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2001

Location: Southwest Hall

Triolo, M, F, Dept. Biol. Sci., Old Dominion University, Norfolk, USA, mtrio001@odu.edu

Thorrold, S, R, Dept. Biol. Sci., Old Dominion University, Norfolk, USA, sthorrol@odu.edu

Latkoczy, C, , LITER, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, USA, clatkocz@odu.edu

CALIBRATING LASER ABLATION ICP-SMS ANALYSES OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN BIOGENIC ARAGONITE AND APATITE

Elemental tracers in calcified structures of marine organisms have proved useful proxies for environmental variables in marine systems. Probe-based analytical techniques, such as laser ablation ICP-MS, offer the potential for high spatial, and therefore increased temporal, resolution of these records. However, the potential for fractionation effects during the ablation process means that careful calibration is required before quantification can be achieved with laser ablation analysis. Calibration studies on fish otoliths, sclerosponge skeletons and walrus teeth using high resolution ICP-MS and an UV laser system found significant mass-dependent elemental fractionation. However, it was possible to correct for these effects, after which the accuracy and precision of the data were comparable to conventional solution-based assays. Laser ablation ICP-MS provided for rapid analyses of the biological structures at spatial resolutions of ~10 um and with a minimum of sample preparation.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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