Determination of rhenium and osmium concentrations in molybdenite using laser ablation double focusing sector field ICP-MS

A technique for the in situ determination of Re and Os in molybdenite samples using direct solid sampling by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is described. The sample preparation is limited to molybdenite separation followed by grinding and pressing to pellets. For Re determination, the best results were obtained using external calibration in conjunction with internal standardization. Isotopes of both molybdenum and sulphur could be used as internal standards. This quantification approach provides precision levels generally better than 10% the relative standard deviation (RSD) with similar levels of accuracy. Os concentrations were derived from Re concentrations and measured isotopic ratios of intensities measured at masses 187 and 185, using W isotopes for on-line mass bias correction. As a rule, LA-ICP-MS results for Os agree with corresponding isotope dilution ICP-MS data to within 30%. Reproducibility is strongly dependent on the age of the molybdenite as well as on the precision of isotope ratio measurements, which in turn depend on Re and W concentrations. The proposed technique provides a rapid estimation of Re and Os concentrations for subsequent precise analysis by isotope dilution ICP-MS. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.