Presentation
The Paleocean team has an Analytik Jena PlasmaQuant Elite quadrupole ICP-MS. Using an argon plasma, quadrupole mass filter, and single detector, the instrument enables the rapid and precise determination of elemental concentrations across a wide range of masses. We simultaneously analyse a wide range of element/Ca ratios (B/Ca, Mg/Ca,.. U/Ca) in small foraminiferal samples (~20 ug CaCO3), enabling us to trace past oceanic conditions (temperature, pH). Sample preparation in a clean lab installed with boron-free hoods, and the use of a HF matrix during analysis, ensures low and stable boron blanks, resulting in low boron detection limits.
