[en] Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a fast in-situ analytical technique based on spectroscopic analysis of atomic emission in laser-induced plasmas. Geochemical mapping at macroscopic scale using LIBS was applied to a decimetric Zn-Pb ore sample from east Belgium, which consists of alternating sphalerite and galena bands. A range of elements was detected with no or minimal spectral correction, including elements of interest for beneficiation such as Ge, Ag and Ga (although the detection of gallium could not be confirmed), and remediation, especially As and Tl. The comparison between LIBS and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses showed that LIBS intensities reliably relate to elemental concentration although differences in spot size and detection limits exist between both techniques. The elemental images of minor and trace elements (Fe, Cu, Ag, Cd, Sb, As, Tl, Ge, Ni and Ba) obtained with LIBS revealed with great detail the compositional heterogeneity of the ore, including growth zones that were not visible on the specimen. In addition, each mineral generation has a distinct trace-element composition, reflecting a geochemical sequence whose potential metallogenic significance at the district scale should be addressed in further work. Although qualitative and preliminary, the obtained LIBS dataset already produced a wealth of information that allowed to initiate discussion on some genetical and crystallochemical aspects. Above all, LIBS appears as a powerful tool for screening geochemically large samples for the selection of zones of particular interest for further analysis.
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Baele, Jean-Marc ; Université de Mons > Faculté Polytechnique > Service de Géologie fondamentale et appliquée
Bouzahzah, Hassan
Papier, Séverine ; Université de Mons > Faculté Polytechnique > Service de Géologie fondamentale et appliquée
Decrée, Sophie
Verheyden, Sophie
Burlet, Christian
Pirard, Eric
Franceschi, Guy
Dejonghe, Léon
Language :
English
Title :
Trace-element imaging at macroscopic scale in a Belgian sphalerite-galena ore using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
Publication date :
08 November 2021
Journal title :
Geologica Belgica
ISSN :
1374-8505
eISSN :
2034-1954
Publisher :
Geologica Belgica, Liège, Belgium
Volume :
24
Issue :
3/4
Pages :
125-137
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Research unit :
F401 - Géologie fondamentale et appliquée
Research institute :
R400 - Institut de Recherche en Science et Ingénierie des Matériaux
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