Microanalysis
Quantitative micro-analytical methods help to solve many scientific problems, especially in the fields of ore deposit research, mineralogy/petrology and mineral residues. Specifically, these relate to the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of rocks and ores (main and trace element concentrations and distributions at high spatial resolution), the fluid temperature and fluid chemistry of hydrothermal systems, the resource potential of mineralised rock bodies with a special focus on trace elements (high-technology metals) and the genesis of ore deposits.
Main areas of work
The application of high-resolution analyses of geomaterials in the micro-analytical laboratory is normally prepared by lower resolution analyses of various types of rock samples (e.g. drill cores, ore samples, waste dump sediments) in the 2D-methods laboratory, where optimal positions for polished sections are determined for further analysis. The methods and data evaluation are continuously developed in line with BGR's tasks.
Micro-analytical laboratory
A fully equipped laboratory is available in Hanover:
- Field emission electron probe micro-analyzer
- Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma time of flight mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-TOF-MS)
- Heating/cooling stage for fluid inclusion micro-thermometry
- Confocal Raman microscope
