Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Efficiency of a re-usable Carius tube for determination of platinum group elements in ultramafic rocks

  • Published:
Chinese Journal of Geochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Digestion with aqua regia in Carius tube is commonly employed for determination of PGEs in geological samples. However, silicates cannot be completely dissolved by aqua regia and PGEs might partially remain in silicate residue. In this study, an ultramafic reference material was used to investigate the efficiencies of a new re-usable Carius tube after digestion at 220 and 240°C, and an autoclave-lined Carius tube at 260 and 280°C. The results show that about 10% of PGEs retained in the silicate residues at 220 and 5% still remains even digestion temperature increases to 280°C. These results agree with previous works that increasing the digestion pressure and temperature can achieve more effective dissolution. Thus, a modified digestion procedure for determination of PGEs in ultramafic rocks by the re-usable Carius tube was proposed in this study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barnes S.J., Makkonen H.V., Dowling S.E., Hill R.E.T., and Peltonen P. (2009) The 1.88 Ga Kotalahti and Vammala nickel belts, Finland: Geochemistry of the mafic and ultramafic metavolcanic rocks [J]. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Finland. 81, 103–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett V.C., Norman M.D., and Garcia M.O. (2000) Rhenium and platinum group element abundances correlated with mantle source components in Hawaiian picrites: Sulphides in the plume [J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 183, 513–526.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birck J.L., RoyBarman M., and Capmas F. (1997) Re-Os isotopic measurements at the femtomole level in natural samples [J]. Geostandards Newsletter. 21, 19–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brandon A.D., Norman M.D., Walker R.J., and Morgan J.W. (1999) 186Os-187Os systematics of Hawaiian picrites [J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 174, 25–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brandon A.D., Snow J.E., Walker R.J., Morgan J.W., and Mock T.D. (2000) 190Pt-186Os and 187Re-187Os systematics of abyssal peridotites [J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 177, 319–335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brandon A.D., Walker R.J., and Puchtel I.S. (2006) Platinum-osmium isotope evolution of the Earth’s mantle: Constraints from chondrites and Os-rich alloys [J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 70, 2093–2103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks C.K., Keays R.R., Lambert D.D., Frick L.R., and Nielsen T.F.D. (1999) Re-Os isotope geochemistry of Tertiary picritic and basaltic magmatism of East Greenland: Constraints on plume-lithosphere interactions and the genesis of the Platinova reef, Skaergaard intrusion [J]. Lithos. 47, 107–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chesley J.T., Rudnick R.L., and Lee C.T. (1999) Re-Os systematics of mantle xenoliths from the East African Rift: Age, structure, and history of the Tanzanian craton [J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 63, 1203–1217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chu Zhuyin, Wu Fuyuan, Walker R.J., Rudnick R.L., Pitcher L. Puchtel I.S., Yang Yueheng and Wilde S.A. (2009) Destruction geodynamics of the North China craton and its Paleoproterozoic plate tectonics [J]. Chinese Science Bulletin. 54, 3354–3366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cucciniello C., Langone A., Melluso L., Morra V., Mahoney J.J., Meisel T., and Tiepolo M. (2010) U-Pb Ages, Pb-Os Isotope Ratios, and Platinum-Group Element (PGE) Composition of the West-Central Madagascar Flood Basalt Province [J]. Journal of Geology. 118, 523–541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dale C.W., Pearson D.G., Starkey N.A., Stuart F.M., Ellam R.M., Larsen L.M., Fitton J.G., and Macpherson C.G. (2009) Osmium isotopes in Baffin Island and West Greenland picrites: Implications for the 187Os/188Os composition of the convecting mantle and the nature of high 3He/4He mantle [J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 278, 267–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao Shan, Rudnick R.L., Xu Wenliang, Yuan Honglin, Liu Yongsheng, Walker R.J., Puchtel I.S., Liu Xiaomin, Huang Hua, Wang Xiaorui, and Yang Jie (2008) Recycling deep cratonic lithosphere and generation of intraplate magmatism in the North China Craton [J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 270, 41–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han Chunming, Xiao Wenjiao, Zhao Guochun, Qu Wenjun, Mao Qigui, and Du Andao (2006) Re-Os isotopic analysis of the Kalatongke Cu-Ni sulfide deposit, northern Xinjiang, NW China, and its geological implication [J]. Acta Petrologica Sinica. 22, 163–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hao Yanli, Huang Qishuai, Zhang Xiaoran, and Shi Rendeng. (2011) Re-Os isotopes of Dali picrite (Yunnan): New constraints on the formation of Emeishan Large Igneous Province [J]. Acta Petrologica Sinica. 27, 2937–2946.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu Kebing, Yao Shuzhen, Qu Wenjun, Du Andao, and Ao Songjian (2008) Re-Os isotopic analysis of the Hulu Cu-Ni sulfide deposit magmatic ore systme, Esat Tianshan, Xinjiang, NW China [J]. Acta Petrologica Sinica. 24, 2359–2370.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin Yongbin, Zhi Xiachen, Meng Qing, Gao Tianshan, and Peng Zicheng (2004) Re-Os dating of the Raobazhai ultramafic massif in North Dabie [J]. Chinese Science Bulletin. 49, 508–513.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kent A.J.R., Stolper E.M., Francis D., Woodhead J., Frei R., and Eiler J. (2004) Mantle heterogeneity during the formation of the North Atlantic Igneous Province: Constraints from trace element and Sr-Nd-Os-O isotope systematics of Baffin Island picrites [J]. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems. 5.

  • Kocks H., Melcher F., Meisel T., and Burgath K.P. (2007) Diverse contributing sources to chromitite petrogenesis in the Shebenik Ophiolitic Complex, Albania: Evidence from new PGE and Os isotope data [J]. Mineralogy and Petrology. 91, 139–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lahaye Y., Barnes S.J., Frick L.R., and Lambert D.D. (2001) Re-Os isotopic study of komatiitic volcanism and magmatic sulfide formation in the southern Abitibi greenstone belt, Ontario, Canada [J]. Canadian Mineralogist. 39, 473–490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert D., Foster J., Frick L., Hoatson D., and Purvis A. (1998) Application of the Re-Os isotopic system to the study of Precambrian magmatic sulfide deposits of Western Australia [J]. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences. 45, 265–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Jie, Xu Jifeng, Suzuki K., He Bin, Xu Yigang, and Ren Zhongyuan (2010) Os, Nd and Sr isotope and trace element geochemistry of the Muli picrites: Insights into the mantle source of the Emeishan Large Igneous Province [J]. Lithos. 119, 108–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malitch K.N., Efimov A.A., and Badanina I.Y. (2011) Contrasting platinum-group mineral assemblages from chromitites of the Nizhny Tagil and Guli massifs (Russia): Implications for composition, sources and age [J]. Doklady Earth Sciences. 441, 1514–1518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mao Jingwen, Yang Jianming, Qu Wenjun, Du Andao, Wang Zhiliang, and Han Chunming (2003) Re-Os age of Cu-Ni ores from the Huangshandong Cu-Ni sulfide deposit in the East Tianshan Mountains and its implication for geodynamic processes [J]. Acta Geologica Sinica-English Edition. 77, 220–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathur R., Tornos F., and Barra F. (2008) The Aguablanca Ni-Cu deposit: A Re-Os isotope study [J]. International Geology Review. 50, 948–958.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melcher F. and Meisel T. (2004) A metamorphosed early Cambrian crust-mantle transition in the Eastern Alps, Austria [J]. Journal of Petrology. 45, 1689–1723.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palesskii S.V., Nikolaeva I.V., Koz’menko O.A., and Anoshin G.N. (2009) Determination of platinum-group elements and rhenium in standard geological samples by isotope dilution with mass-spectrometric ending [J]. Journal of Anaytical Chemistry 64, 272–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearson D.G., Irvine G.J., Ionov D.A., Boyd F.R., and Dreibus G.E. (2004) Re-Os isotope systematics and platinum group element fractionation during mantle melt extraction: A study of massif and xenolith peridotite suites [J]. Chemical Geology. 208, 29–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Puchtel I.S., Brandon A.D., and Humayun M. (2004a) Precise Pt-Re-Os isotope systematics of the mantle from 2.7 Ga komatiites [J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 224, 157–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Puchtel I.S., Brandon A.D., Humayun M., and Walker R.J. (2005) Evidence for the early differentiation of the core from Pt-Re-Os isotope systematics of 2.8 Ga komatiites [J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 237, 118–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Puchtel I.S., Brugmann G.E., and Hofmann A.W. (1999) Precise Re-Os mineral isochron and Pb-Nd-Os isotope systematics of a mafic-ultramafic sill in the 2.0 Ga Onega plateau (Baltic Shield) [J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 170, 447–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Puchtel I.S., Humayun M., Campbell A.J., Sproule R.A., and Lesher C.M. (2004b) Platinum group element geochemistry of komatiites from the Alexo and Pyke Hill areas, Ontario, Canada [J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 68, 1361–1383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi Liang, Gao Jianfeng, Zhou Meifu, Hu Jing (2013) The design of re-usable Carius tubes for the determination of Rhenium and Osmium and platinum group elements in geological samples [J]. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research. 37, 345–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi Liang and Zhou Meifu (2008) Determination of platinum-group elements in OPY-1: Comparison of results using different digestion techniques [J]. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research. 32, 377–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi Liang., Gao Jianfeng, Huang Xiaowen, Hu Jing, Zhou Meifu, and Zhong Hong (2011) An improved digestion technique for determination of platinum group elements in geological samples [J]. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry. 26, 1900–1904.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi Liang, Gregoire D.C., Zhou Meifu, and Malpas J. (2003) Determination of Pt, Pd, Ru and Ir in geological samples by ID-ICP-MS using sodium peroxide fusion and Te co-precipitation [J]. Geochemical Journal. 37, 557–566.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi Liang, Zhou Meifu, and Wang C.Y. (2004) Determination of low concentrations of platinum group elements in geological samples by ID-ICP-MS [J]. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry. 19, 1335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi Liang, Zhou Meifu, Gao Jianfeng, and Zhao Zheng (2010) An improved Carius tube technique for determination of low concentrations of Re and Os in pyrites [J]. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry. 25, 585.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi Liang, Zhou Meifu, Wang C.Y., and Sun Min (2007) Evaluation of a technique for determining Re and PGEs in geological samples by ICP-MS coupled with a modified Carius tube digestion [J]. Geochemical Journal. 41, 407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reisberg L. and Meisel T. (2002) The Re-Os Isotopic System: A Review of Analytical Techniques [J]. Geostandards Newsletter. 26, 249–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ripley E.M., Lambert D.D., and Frick L.R. (1998) Re-Os, Sm-Nd, and Pb isotopic constraints on mantle and crustal contributions to magmatic sulfide mineralization in the Duluth Complex [J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 62, 3349–3365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen J.J., Papanastassiou D.A., and Wasserburg G.J. (1996) Precise Re-Os determinations and systematics of iron meteorites [J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 60, 2887–2900.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shirey S.B. and Walker R.J. (1995) Carius tube digestion for low-blank rhenium-osmium analysis [J]. Analalytical Chemistry. 67, 2136–2141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smoliar M.I., Walker R.J., and Morgan J.W. (1996) Re-Os ages of group IIA, IIIA, IVA, and IVB iron meteorites [J]. Science. 271, 1099–1102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smoliar M.I., Walker R.J., and Morgan J.W. (1997) Rhenium-osmium isochron for IA meteorites: Further refinement of the rhenium-187 decay constant [J]. Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 32, A122–A123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson R.N., Ottley C.J., Smith P.M., Pearson D.G., Dickin A.P., Morrison M.A., Leat P.T., and Gibson S.A. (2005) Source of the quaternary alkalic basalts, picrites and basanites of the Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico, USA: Lithosphere or convecting mantle? [J]. Journal of Petrology. 46, 1603–1643.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tian W., Chen B., Ireland T.R., Green D.H., Suzuki K., and Chu Z. (2011) Petrology and geochemistry of dunites, chromitites and mineral inclusions from the Gaositai Alaskan-type complex, North China Craton: Implications for mantle source characteristics [J]. Lithos. 127, 165–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker R.J., Morgan J.W., Beary E.S., Smoliar M.I., Czamanske G.K., and Horan M.F. (1997) Applications of the 190Pt-186Os isotope system to geochemistry and cosmochemistry [J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 61, 4799–4807.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang Shenghong, Qu Wenjun, Tian Yulong, Chen Jiangfeng, Yang Gang, and Du Andao (2008) Origin of the inconsistent apparent Re-Os ages of the Jinchuan Ni-Cu sulfide ore deposit, China: Post-segregation diffusion of Os [J]. Chemical Geology. 247, 401–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Zhaochong, Zhi Xiachen, Chen Lei, Saunders A.D., and Reichow M.K. (2008b) Re-Os isotopic compositions of picrites from the Emeishan flood basalt province, China [J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 276, 30–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Zuoheng, Mao Jingwen, Du Andao, Pirajno F., Wang Zhiliang, Chai Fengmei, Zhang Zhaochong, and Yang Jianmin, (2008). Re-Os dating of two Cu-Ni sulfide deposits in northern Xinjiang, NW China and its geological significance [J]. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences. 32, 204–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhong Hong, Qi Liang, Hu Ruizhong, Zhou Meifu, Gou Tizhong, Zhu Weiguang, Liu Bingguang, and Chu Zhuyin (2011) Rhenium-osmium isotope and platinum-group elements in the Xinjie layered intrusion, SW China: Implications for source mantle composition, mantle evolution, PGE fractionation and mineralization [J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 75, 1621–1641.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China

    Yingying Liu, Liang Qi, Zheng Zhao, Xiaowen Huang & Yichang Wang

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Yingying Liu, Xiaowen Huang & Yichang Wang

  3. Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Resource Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China

    Zheng Zhao

Authors
  1. Yingying Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Liang Qi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zheng Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiaowen Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yichang Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Liang Qi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Liu, Y., Qi, L., Zhao, Z. et al. Efficiency of a re-usable Carius tube for determination of platinum group elements in ultramafic rocks. Chin. J. Geochem. 33, 45–52 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-014-0658-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-014-0658-2

Key words

Search

Navigation