SEMINAR: GEOTOPICS presents Standardizing Standards: Introducing a novel technique for measuring the Rare Earth Elements (REE) in terrestrial and extra-terrestrial materials

[Arash Sharifi <osharifi@rsmas.miami.edu>]

Monday, November 14, 2011
3:15, SLAB Seminar Room, S/A 103
Refreshments at 3:00 PM

Our upcoming speaker is one of our very own MGG professors: Dr Ali Pourmand
The title of his talk is "Standardizing Standards: Introducing a novel technique for measuring the Rare Earth Elements (REE) in terrestrial and extra-terrestrial materials".

ABSTRACT

In order to improve the accuracy and precision of the REE measurements by ICP-MS, the following conditions must be fulfilled: 1) complete digestion of refractory phases and minerals in the samples; 2) low procedural blanks; 3) separation of interfering matrix, and 4) elimination of molecular (i.e., oxides and hydrides) and direct isobaric interferences. A new analytical approach will be presented for rapid, precise and accurate analysis of the REE. Using this technique, we have revised the REE concentrations in primitive chondritic meteorites (CI-chondrites) and Post Archean Australian Shales (PAAS) that are routinely used as references for REE normalization. The normalized fractionation patterns of the REE help shape our understanding of the evolutionary history of terrestrial and extra-terrestrial bodies.

We hope to see you all there!

Your GEOTOPICS Coordinators,
 Keri Vinas and Arash Sharifi
        

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