Optimization of spodumene identification by statistical approach for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy data of lithium pegmatite ores

Romppanen, Sari; Pölönen, Ilkka; Häkkänen, Heikki; Kaski, Saara

doi:10.1080/05704928.2021.1963977

Cited by 10 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Lithium is an element effectively analyzed by LIBS because of its strong emissivity, which makes it readily detectable in geological materials, even when present at low concentrations. Previous quantitative LIBS analysis or compositional mapping related to Li-pegmatite mineralization has been undertaken using both laboratory LIBS systems [40][41][42], commercial LIBS drill core scanners [43,44], or handheld LIBS analyzers [17,[45][46][47][48]. The work reported here utilized a SciAps Inc. (Woburn, MA, USA) Z-300 series handheld LIBS analyzer for the determination of Li, K, and Rb in muscovite either from outcrops in the field or drill core, pegmatite hand samples, and soil at the Piedmont Lithium field facility in the CLP.…”

Section: Handheld Libs Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Analysis of Muscovites on a Lithium Pegmatite Prospect by Handheld LIBS

et al. 2023

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Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a technology for compositional analysis that is particularly effective for light elements, particularly Li, which is a critical commodity for emerging green technologies. This study undertook analysis by handheld LIBS of muscovite from the drill core, outcrop, and soil on the Carolina Lithium Prospect (CLP) in Gaston County, North Carolina (USA), which lies within the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (CTSB). Abundances of the alkali elements Li, K, and Rb were determined for more than 130 muscovites from the Li-rich pegmatites to track the degree of pegmatite fractionation as a pathfinder for spodumene mineralization. Across the CTSB and including the CLP, muscovite Li contents vary over an order of magnitude, ranging from 0.04 to 0.74 wt. %, with their K/Rb ratios varying between 63 and 8, features that together document the highly evolved character of pegmatites within the CTSB district. On average, muscovite Li contents are greater in spodumene-bearing pegmatites at 0.21 ± 0.12 wt. % than for common quartz-feldspar pegmatites at 0.14 ± 0.08 wt. %. Although overlapping substantially in the middle portions of their distributions, muscovite K/Rb ratios are biased toward low values for spodumene-bearing pegmatites (X- = 21 ± 6) compared to those for quartz-feldspar pegmatites (X- = 33 ± 9). This study provides a framework for the use of LIBS analysis of muscovite in outcrop, drill core, and soil samples as an analytical tool for in-field and on-site geochemical analysis during Li pegmatite exploration and prospect evaluation.

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Section: Handheld Libs Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Analysis of Muscovites on a Lithium Pegmatite Prospect by Handheld LIBS

et al. 2023

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“…LIBS microchemical mapping and chemometric analysis was utilized by Romppanen et al [60] to identify and discriminate the Li-bearing ore mineral spodumene from gangue minerals across the Kaustinen LCT pegmatite province of western Finland and to map sample texture. That same year, Janovszky et al [61] undertook LIBS analysis of monzogranite from the Mórágy Granite Complex in the Eastern Mecsek Mountains of Hungary for the classification of constituent mineral grains and for Be and Li prospecting in granitoid rocks.…”

Section: Laboratory Libs Analysis Of LI In Geological Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Handheld LIBS for Li Exploration: An Example from the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt, USA

et al. 2022

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Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), which has recently emerged as tool for geochemical analysis outside the traditional laboratory setting, is an ideal tool for Li exploration because it is the only technique that can measure Li in minerals, rocks, soils, and brines in-situ in the field. In addition to being used in many products essential to modern life, Li is a necessary element for a reduced carbon future and Li–Cs–Ta (LCT) granitic pegmatites are an important source of Li. Such pegmatites can have varying degrees of enrichment in Li, Rb, Cs, Be, Sn, Ga, Ta>Nb, B, P, and F. We focus here on the LCT pegmatites of the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (CTSB) situated in the Kings Mountain Shear Zone, which extends from South Carolina into North Carolina. The CTSB hosts both barren and fertile pegmatites, with Li-enriched pegmatites containing spodumene, K-feldspar, albite, quartz, muscovite, and beryl. We illustrate how handheld LIBS analysis can be used for real-time Li analysis in the field at a historically important CTSB pegmatite locality in Gaston County, N.C. in four contexts: (i) elemental detection and identification; (ii) microchemical mapping; (iii) depth profiling; and (iv) elemental quantitative analysis. Finally, as an example of a practical exploration application, we describe how handheld LIBS can be used to measure K/Rb ratios and Li contents of muscovite and rapidly determine the degree of pegmatite fractionation. This study demonstrates the potential of handheld LIBS to drastically reduce the time necessary to acquire geochemical data relevant to acquiring compositional information for pegmatites during a Li pegmatite exploration program.

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