Recent Advances in the Compositional and Mapping Analysis of Iron Meteorites Using Handheld LIBS

Publication: Giorgio S.Senesi, Olga De Pascale, Sara Mattiello, Vanni Moggi Cecchi, Abderrahmane Ibhi, Lahcen Ouknine and Hassan Nachit. “Recent Advances in the Compositional andMapping Analysis of Iron Meteorites Using a Handheld Laser-Induced BreakdownSpectroscopy Instrument,” 23 July 2024.

“The chemistry, structure, shape and large mass of iron meteorites make them some of the most unique geological samples that can be found on Earth. These meteorites are believed to originate from asteroids, also known as planetesimals, which experienced an igneous evolution in the early Solar System….The main objectives of this study were to: (a) confirm that the hLIBS instrumentation can provide a rapid and minimally destructive identification and quantitative analysis of iron meteorites based on calibration curves previously built in the laboratory using appropriate reference materials; (b) establish an efficient and viable methodological approach and protocol in order to apply hLIBS analysis of iron meteorites directly in the field; (c) compare the data obtained by hLIBS with those achieved by a pXRF instrumentation; and (d) use hLIBS to construct elemental micro maps of iron meteorites to better understand their elemental and mineralogical distribution.”

Abstract: Analytical techniques are essential in investigating the unique features of extra-terrestrial geomaterials, and the use of in situ analytical tools is becoming increasingly common, as it facilitates a quick initial bulk chemical analysis, identification and classification. In this work, a handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (hLIBS) instrument has been used to identify the qualitative and quantitative composition, and generate compositional micro-maps, of a suite of iron meteorite samples representative of the different chemical and structural classes by analysing the spectra released from the plasma formed by the laser impact. Furthermore, the analytical performance of hLIBS was compared with that of portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF). The analytical precision and accuracy of the calibration curves previously built in the laboratory for a set of certified reference metal alloys was assessed, so that the same protocol could be used to measure those of the investigated iron meteorites. A good agreement was achieved between hLIBS and reference data in the quantitative estimate of the elements Fe, Ni, Co and Cu. An attempt to quantify Ga by LIBSin two classified iron meteorites was also successful.

Keywords: handheld LIBS, iron meteorites, composition, classification, mapping.

Access to publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/ggr.12581

About this journal: Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research is an international journal dedicated to advancing the science of reference materials, analytical techniques and data quality relevant to the chemical analysis of geological and environmental samples.

Benefits of HH LIBS:‍

• Its portability enables dynamic field sampling, reducing reliance on lab results and saving time and costs.
• It is widely used for in-field analysis of rocks, minerals, and valuable elements.
• It is recognized for in situ geochemical analysis in both planetary and terrestrial geology.
• It detects a wide range of elements (major, minor, trace).
• It is easy to use with no need for reactants or sample preparation.
• It minimizes sample contamination and environmental interference.
• It causes minimal sample damage (micro-destructive).
• It quickly identifies elemental composition, differentiates rocks from meteorites, and supports immediate decision-making.

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