Analyzing Texas Hill Country Rare Earth Elements using ICPMS

Here I document the development of a solution mode ICP-MS method designed to investigate the rare earth elements found in Texas Hill Country geological units. My website goes through the processes of creating a method proposal, establishing an optimal operating parameter, testing representative samples, completing quantitative analysis of samples, and evaluating data quality.

Rare earth elements have become an increasing topic of interest with the rise of technological advances. A possibly lesser known application of rare earth elements (REE’s) is geochemical and hydrological research. These rare elements can test for anthropogenic influences on groundwaters, serve as a method of paleoclimate research, and can also be used as geochemical tracers in groundwater (Balaram 2019; Johannessan, et. al. 1997).

The image displayed on this home page is a spring fed pool is near the area where samples were collected for this project. The rocks seen in the image are in the Cow Creek Formation, which is one of the rock types analyzed.