Evaluation of the Potential of the Pegmatitic Quartz Veins of the Sierra de Comechigones (Argentina) as a Source of High Purity Quartz by a Combination of LA-ICP-MS, ICP, Cathodoluminescence, Gas Chromatography, Fluid Inclusion Analysis, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy

Abstract

Due to the increasing demand for high purity quartz the pegmatitic quartz veins of the Guacha Corral shear zone (Sierra de Comechigones, Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina) get increasing economic interest. The presented combination of accurate field work backed by transmitted light microscopy, cathodoluminescence, LA-ICP-MS spot chemical analyses and analyses of solutes and gases liberated from fluid inclusions was developed in order to produce a robust exploration tool able to select in an early stage of prospection quartz veins that are promising for the production of high purity quartz. One of the important results of this combination of methods is the possibility to define the amount of lattice bound impurities. Such lattice bound impurities are difficult to eliminate by mineral preparation techniques whereas solid and fluid inclusions are amenable to a mineral preparation. In the present case the combination of methods produced a positive evaluation of the studied quartz veins as an excellent source for the production of high purity quartz.