Improvement of Method and Future Tests

December 9, 2022

To further improve the accuracy of our results, we would like to complete LA ICP-MS on the calcite plates in order to map fractionation that occurs on the plate itself as calcite precipitates. This would significantly cut down sample preparation time (no scraping of plates and dilution in c-vials), as well as minimize the error that comes with weighing such small volumes of calcite.

We will also measure strontium 87/86 ratios for better determining flow paths of drip waters as in Wong et al. (2011). Concerns about elucidating trends in TE/Ca ratios, especially with the inverse Mg/Ca and Sr&Ba/Ca ratios observed in BD samples during major enrichment events was completely unexpected, and we hope to use strontium as a way to parse out the chemical processes causing this. There is a possibility that calcium ratios will also be analyzed on these samples as an indicator of PCP in the vadose zone, but much of the methodology for plates has not been determined, especially if using LA-ICP-MS.