『Abstract
Geochemical fingerprinting is a rapidly expanding discipline
in the earth and environmental sciences. It is anchored in the
recognition that geological processes leave behind chemical and
isotopic patterns in the rock record. Many of these patterns,
informally referred to as geochemical fingerprints, differ only
in fine detail from each other. For this reason, the approach
of fingerprinting requires analytical data of very high precision
and accuracy.
It is not surprising that the advancement of geochemical fingerprinting
occurred alongside progress in geochemical analysis techniques.
In this brief treatment, a subjective selection of drivers behind
the analytical progress and its implications for geochemical fingerprinting
are discussed. These include the impact of the Apollo lunar sample
return program on quality of geochemical data and its push towards
minimizing required sample volumes. The advancement of in situ
analytical techniques is also identified as a major factor that
has enabled geochemical fingerprinting to expand into a larger
variety of fields.
For real world applications of geochemical fingerprinting, in
which large sample throughout, reasonable cost, and fast turnaround
are key requirements, the improvements to inductively-coupled-plasma
quadrupole mass spectrometry were paramount. The past 40 years
have witnessed how geochemical fingerprinting has found its way
into everyday applications. This development is cause for celebrating
the 40 years of existence of the IAGC.』
1. Introduction
2 Forty years of analytical development - a subjective selection
of highlights
2.1. The Apollo lunar sample return program
2.2. Development of in situ analytical methods
2.2.1. The electron microprobe
2.2.2. The secondary ion mass spectrometer
2.2.3. Laser ablation ICP-MS
2.3. Quadrupole inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometer
(ICP-MA) solution analysis
3. Geochemical fingerprinting - real world applications
3.1. Archaeometry of Chinese ceramics
3.2. Kimberlite indicator mineral chemistry
3.3. Dust transport monitoring
4. Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References