High-resolution data from Laser Ablation-ICP-MS and by ICP-OES analyses at the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary section at Agost (SE Spain)

Abstract

A high-resolution analysis of the distribution of major and trace elements across the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary (KPgB) in the distal section of Agost (SE Spain) was performed. The KPgB sediments were drilled to recover a 22 cm-long core; the lower 5 cm corresponding to the uppermost Maastrichtian and the upper 17 cm to the lowermost Danian. The unconsolidated sediments were resin-embedded under O 2 -free conditions, cut and polished. Laser Ablation-Inductivity Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses were conducted at 10 µm increments and a laser-beam of 80 µm. Discrete samples were taken immediately prior to the resin-embedding and analyzed by Inductivity Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Results obtained by both analytical methods (LA-ICP-MS and ICP-OES) are presented. (Further interpretations and discussion are included in Sosa-Montes de Oca et al., 2018 [6]).

Microscale trace-element distribution across the Cretaceous/Palaeogene ejecta layer at the Agost section: Constraining the recovery of pre-impact conditions

“…A 193 nm wavelength COMPex 102 ArF excimer laser ablation system (Lambda Physik, Göttingen, Germany) connected to an Element 2 sector field ICP-MS (Thermo Scientific, Bremen, Germany) was used for all LA-ICP-MS analyses at the GML of Utrecht University (The Netherlands). The data were subsequently processed following the procedure of Sosa-Montes de Oca et al (2018aOca et al ( , 2018b. The LA-ICP-MS specifications as well as elemental ratios used in this paper are summarized in Table 1.…”

“…Sosa-Montes de Oca et al (2018aOca et al ( , 2018b have explored a novel methodology in the KPgB sediments at the Agost section, enabling highresolution LA-ICP-MS analyses in continuous mode after resin embedding. In these contributions, the high potential of the methodology was demonstrated.…”

“…additionally to external standard (NIST SRM610) used for the other elements (see Sosa-Montes deOca et al, 2018aOca et al, , 2018b.…”