The discovery of altered rock−type gold orebodies in southeastern Guizhou (southwestern Jiangnan orogen) highlights the region’s significance as a major gold province. However, the timing and the ore-forming processes remain poorly constrained, hindering a comprehensive understanding of gold metallogenic patterns. The Kengtou gold deposit (>15 tons Au) comprises both quartz vein−type and altered rock−type orebodies. Two types of hydrothermal monazite (Mnz1, Mnz2) were identified in this study. Mnz1, associated with pre-ore ankerite (Ank1) and rutile, occurs within unmineralized metamorphic rocks. In contrast, Mnz2 is spatially associated with auriferous sulfides within gold orebodies. Trace-element analyses show that Mnz1 has significantly higher total rare earth element (ΣREE) concentrations (430,658−583,738 ppm, mean = 565,224 ppm) than Mnz2 (67,779−172,804 ppm, mean = 137,558 ppm), although both exhibit similar hydrothermal-type chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns. Laser ablation−inductively coupled plasma−mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating yielded lower-intercept ages of 443 ± 16 Ma (Mnz1) and 410 ± 13 Ma (Mnz2). These ages constrain two distinct hydrothermal episodes: The earlier episode (ca. 443 Ma) represents a pre-ore stage related to Caledonian regional greenschist-facies metamorphism that triggered widespread sericitization, while the later episode (ca. 410 Ma) marks the main gold mineralization stage during late Caledonian extension, where fluid-rock interaction led to the precipitation of gold-bearing pyrite. Overall, we propose that the recognition of two episodes of Caledonian hydrothermal activity has implications for district-scale gold exploration in the southwestern margin of the Jiangnan orogen.

Abstract. Calcite has been shown to incorporate trivalent actinides into its crystal lattice, highlighting its potential to contribute to radionuclide retention processes in the environment. Earlier studies on calcite's elemental uptake were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, which do not fully capture the complexities of natural environments. To gain a deeper understanding of calcite's uptake capacity under natural conditions, a sample from the Wenzel ore mine, Germany, was analyzed, originating from a calcite vein that formed under conditions relevant to deep geological-waste repositories. The chemical analogy between rare earth elements (REEs) and trivalent actinides helps to evaluate the retention potential and incorporation mechanisms of trivalent radionuclides. A micro-X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) element map revealed that the investigated calcite consists of an euhedral crystal core exhibiting sector zoning, characterized by trace element heterogeneity across coevally grown crystal faces. High-resolution laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) further refined and quantified the elemental distribution, revealing preferential incorporation of specific elements, particularly REEs, within one sector of the calcite. Remarkably, this sector showed REE concentrations over 200 times higher than those in the depleted sector, indicating a significant potential for the retention of trivalent actinides. Furthermore, the data indicate that charge equilibration of incorporated trivalent cations occurs via two processes: coupled substitution with monovalent cations and vacancies in the crystal structure. Overall, these results demonstrate that sector-zoned calcite formed under repository-relevant conditions can maintain high retention potential for trivalent actinides, even in environments depleted in monovalent cations.

Transition metals, such as iron, support vital metabolic and signaling functions in immune cells. Cellular iron concentrations are tightly controlled. In T cells, both iron deficiency and iron overload have been linked to immune dysfunction. Homeostatic iron concentrations in T cells, and changes that occur during T cell activation, remain poorly understood due to difficulty of accurately measuring iron content in single cells, especially in small cells. Here, we describe the use of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to accurately quantify the total amount of endogenous iron in individual primary human T cells. Our technique allows for targeted selection of single cells and reproducible quantification of iron at femtogram level. Our findings reveal that iron levels in resting T cells were similar across human donors. In contrast, T cell activation leads to diverse patterns between individual cells and donors, indicating specialized needs during differentiation.

The exsolution mechanism of magmatic fluids and their metal migration capacity: example from Huanaote Pb-Zn-polymetallic deposit in Inner Mongolia, China

Subcellular capillary sampling coupled to laser ablation – Inductively coupled plasma – Mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) allows targeted analysis of thallium in a radiopharmaceutical model

High-throughput identification of geographical origins of rubies using hyperspectral visible and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a widely used quantitative technique. However, conventional calibration approaches that depend on internal standards, external reference materials, and linear regression are subject to practical limitations. To address these challenges, we present LA-TReQNet, an end-to-end deep learning framework, that enables fully automated quantitative calibration in LA-ICP-MS. A CNN-LSTM architecture was trained on a data set of 221,364 labeled mass spectra from 5676 samples. We demonstrate that preprocessing of mass spectrometry data substantially impacts model performance and propose an optimized strategy incorporating power transformer-based standardization and data set grouping. By training on extensive multielement data sets, the deep learning model captures complex empirical relationships, thus establishing for the first time a standard-free calibration approach. The optimized LA-TReQNet model accurately quantified 39 elements in three RMs (BCR-2G, BHVO-2G, and BIR-1G) from independent laboratories, confirming its robustness to data source variations. When applied to a broader set of RMs, LA-TReQNet achieved deviations of 0.2% ± 5.8% (SD, n = 198) for major elements and -0.9% ± 9.2% (SD, n = 898) for trace elements relative to certified reference values. The results confirm that deep learning-based elemental quantification achieves accuracy on par with conventional approaches while eliminating the reliance on internal or external standards, thus significantly expanding the applicability of LA-ICP-MS to complex and diverse samples. Moreover, LA-TReQNet eliminates data quality fluctuations from researcher experience differences in traditional handling, improving both processing efficiency and result stability.

Enhancing the absorption efficiency of fertilizers plays an extremely crucial role in agricultural production. Here, we present a novel metallic nanofertilizer with a core-shell structure named Au@mZnO-mSiO2 for the sustained release of Zn in plants. Detection with ICP-MS found that the content of Zn in the cucumber incubated with Au@mZnO-mSiO2 exhibited a significantly higher content of Zn than the blank. The results of imaging with laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) showed significant increases in Zn, Cu, and P in cucumber leaves incubated with Au@mZnO-mSiO2. The cucumber incubated with Au@mZnO-mSiO2 had longer roots, thicker stems, and enlarged leaves, which indicated that Au@mZnO-mSiO2 showed favorable effects on the growth of the cucumber. This work has meaningful implications for nanofertilizers in the advancement of sustainable agricultural production and also provides a novel tracking method for the study of nanoparticles in plant translocation pathways simultaneously, with their quantitation by ICP-MS and imaging by LA-ICP-MS.

Abstract. Gem-quality corundum varieties of ruby and sapphire are one of the most valuable and desired gemstones. Due to their rarity, new methods of synthesis and treatment were developed over the last decades, complicating the reliable identification between natural, treated, and synthetic specimens. Among the geochemical methods used for identification, trace element analysis using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is widely applied. However, solely relying on LA-ICP-MS trace element analysis for differentiation between natural and synthetic corundum origins, especially when grown by the hydrothermal method, can potentially lead to misidentifications. To further enable geochemical tracing of corundum, this study explores secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) oxygen isotope analysis. High-spatial-resolution SIMS δ18O analysis of hydrothermally synthesized corundum yielded values between -7.84±0.13 ‰ and -14.54±0.13 ‰ (relative to Vienna standard mean ocean water, VSMOW; 1 standard error) that are atypical for natural corundum. For flame fusion corundum, SIMS δ18O analyses are in the range of -6.73±0.13 ‰ to -17.46±0.13 ‰ for sapphires of blue, yellow, and orange colour and +28.51±0.11 ‰ to +30.47±0.10 ‰ for ruby, which, in both cases, are again atypical for natural corundum. SIMS δ18O analysis of corundum thus has strong potential to distinguish synthetic and natural corundum.

The Guanfang tungsten deposit in the Bozhushan ore district, southeastern Yunnan, is genetically linked to Late Yanshanian granitic intrusions. To elucidate the petrogenesis and mineralization potential of the causative granite, this study presents a detailed mineral chemical analysis of biotite from the Guanfang pluton using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The biotite crystals exhibit relatively high euhedrality, show no obvious alteration features, and are chemically characterized by reduced Na and Ca contents. These features, along with petrographic observations, confirm its origin as primary magmatic biotite. Crystallization conditions, calculated from biotite chemistry, indicate temperatures of 700–720 °C and pressures of 1.22–1.73 kbar, corresponding to a mesozonal emplacement depth of 4.6–6.5 km. Oxygen fugacity estimates, plotting near the Ni-NiO buffer, reveal an oxidized magmatic environment. Geochemical discrimination diagrams suggest the Guanfang granite exhibits transitional features between S-type and I-type affinities and is classified as a syn-melting (high-temperature) type. The biotite contains relatively low F (0.71–0.97 wt%), but elevated Cl (0.13–0.20 wt%) and Sn (43–56 µg/g) contents. This specific geochemical signature—combined with the medium- to high-temperature crystallization setting—is highly favorable for W-Sn mineralization. Furthermore, the high-Ti, syn-melting character of the granite implies additional potential for Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag polymetallic mineralization. This study employs biotite chemistry to assess the petrogenesis and metallogenic potential of the Guanfang granite. The subsequent discovery of industrial ore bodies corresponding to some of the elements identified as having metallogenic potential confirms the feasibility of this approach. Accordingly, this method provides a new tool for future exploration in the Bozhushan district.

The global prevalence of autism spectrum diagnosis (ASD) is increasing. Fetal and early-life exposure to trace elements has been associated with increased likelihood of ASD, but evidence regarding timing of exposure remains limited. This study investigates prenatal and early-life exposure to non-essential and essential elements, individually and as mixtures, in children with and without ASD, stratified by child sex. The sample included 170 children from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), of whom 75 were clinically diagnosed with ASD and 95 were not. Elemental levels were measured in primary tooth dentine using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to investigate case-control differences in levels of pre-and postnatal non-essential and essential elements as well as their mixtures. Significant differences in lead (Pb) levels were observed between ASD case and control groups: The ASD male group had lower Pb levels from 15 to 11 weeks prenatally, while ASD female group had lower levels from birth to 4 weeks postnatally, compared to controls. Males with ASD had higher prenatal magnesium (Mg) and lower postnatal Mg levels, as well as lower prenatal lithium (Li) levels and higher postnatal Li levels compared to controls. Additionally, males with ASD had higher prenatal and lower postnatal essential element mixture levels than controls. These findings suggest that there may be differential patterns of exposure to non-essential and essential element levels during specific developmental windows in fetal and early postnatal life in children with and without ASD.

ADAMTS4-Targeted Molecular MRI for Early Detection of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in a Porcine Model of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

ABSTRACT This study presents a preliminary provenance investigation of chert artifacts from the Neolithic site of Gorjani in Slavonia (eastern Croatia), aiming to assess the existence of long‐distance procurement or exchange networks in the western Balkans. The site's lithic assemblage, which predominantly consisted of cherts, was analyzed through macroscopic classification and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) for high‐precision geochemical fingerprinting. The results reveal five visually and compositionally distinct chert groups, several of which display macroscopic and geochemical correspondences with chert source locations in northern Bosnia. These matches suggest that part of the Gorjani assemblage was produced from raw materials transported over distances exceeding 100 km, demonstrating the integration of Slavonian communities into broader regional interaction networks. The findings provide new geoarcheological evidence of long‐distance chert movement in the Neolithic western Balkans and highlight the role of Bosnian sources as major suppliers of high‐quality stone tools. Beyond its regional implications, the study underscores the effectiveness of combining macroscopic and geochemical approaches in tracing prehistoric resource territories. The results contribute to a growing understanding of Neolithic connectivity, mobility, and the organization of material exchange across southeastern Europe.

Plasticity in fish movement patterns is frequently observed in euryhaline species. Otolith shape and chemical composition are natural recorders of the environmental conditions experienced by individual fish, providing valuable tools to reconstruct habitat use and movement patterns. The European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is a euryhaline species for which partial migration has been suggested, whereby some individuals remain resident while others migrate in coastal and marine environments, but the use of freshwater habitats by adults has only been reported recently. To assess the existence of distinct contingents, this study analysed the otolith shape and chemical composition of sea bass collected in freshwater, adjacent coastal areas and distant coastal areas using Wavelet reconstructions and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Both approaches identified a divergent life-history strategy within the sea bass population, characterized by a consistent use of freshwater habitat. Otolith chemistry further suggested that life histories differentiate with age, becoming especially evident from age two onward, when freshwater-associated signatures start to become more noticeable. These findings reveal the ecological plasticity of European sea bass and highlight the importance of sea-land connectivity for the conservation of euryhaline species.

Source, craftsmanship, and exchange: The first comprehensive scientific analysis of gold foils unearthed from Xinjiang (6th–3rd centuries BCE)

Abstract. Götzenite and wöhlerite were found as part of a fissure assemblage in the Fohberg phonolite (Kaiserstuhl, SW Germany), in close association with natrolite and clinopyroxene (aegirine–augite). Crystal grains were separated and investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), showing the presence of two intimately intergrown phases, götzenite and wöhlerite. SXRD analyses showed that both minerals are twinned. Götzenite (Na1.50Ca5.18Sr0.13Fe0.032+Mn0.01Zr0.06La0.08Ce0.11Nd0.02Ti0.81Nb0.19(Si2O7)2O1.2F2.8) shows rotation twinning on [001] according to -a-1/2c, −b, c, with contributions of 40 % and 60 % from the two twin domains, respectively. Applying the twin law to the diffraction analysis, the crystal structure was refined to R1 (Fo >4σ (Fo)) = 3.0 %, with a=9.6191(3) Å, b=5.7342(2) Å, c=7.3386(2) Å, α=89.986(1)°, β=101.040(1)°, γ=100.485(1)°, and V=390.40(3) Å3 in space group P1‾. Wöhlerite (Na1.63Ca4.37Sr0.04Zr0.63Fe0.232+Mn0.09Ce0.01Ta0.01Nb0.79Ti0.20(Si2O7)2O2.6F1.4) shows reflection twinning on (100) according to -a-c, b, c, with contributions of 31 % and 69% from the two twin domains, respectively, and with lattice parameters of a=10.842(1) Å, b=10.249(1) Å, c=7.2673(8) Å, β=109.343(4)°, and V=761.9(2) Å3 in the monoclinic space group P21, refined to R1 = 1.3 %. Refractive indices of götzenite were measured using the immersion method yielding nx=1.662(2), ny=1.663(2), nz=1.670(2), and 2V=61(2)°. Optical measurements on the twinned crystal were possible because of the coincidence of the two indicatrices related to each other by rotation about nx being parallel to [001], simulating a unique extinction behavior. Wöhlerite could not be optically examined because of the polysynthetic twinning not showing this effect.

Abstract Globally magmatic hydrothermal Sn deposits are typically associated with partial melting of reduced, Sn-enriched metasedimentary protoliths. The newly recognized Southern Great Xing’an Range Sn metallogenic belt in northeastern China, however, is characterized with Sn-mineralized intrusions commonly being A- or I-type granites derived dominantly from juvenile crust. How Sn is enriched in these magmas remains unclear. Haliheiba is a typical Sn deposit in this region that is associated with a biotite granite stock containing mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs). In this study, we aimed to clarify the role of magmatic processes in the Sn deposit formation. Laser ablation ICP-MS U–Pb dating on magmatic zircons from the biotite granite and MMEs yields identical ages of ~142 Ma, consistent with the regional Early Cretaceous Sn mineralization event. The texture and composition zoning patterns are abundant in zircon, plagioclase, and amphibole, and can be attributed to the mafic and felsic magma mixing within a shallow felsic magma chamber. Amphibole and biotite thermobarometers indicate an estimated depth of ~13 km of the magma chamber, while the deep mafic magma resided at ~26 km with a temperature of ~871°C. The calculated oxygen fugacities from zircon geochemistry for the biotite granite and the MMEs are FMQ + 0.30 and FMQ + 0.11, respectively, indicative of a relatively reduced condition similar to many other Sn-related intrusions. The amphibole Fe3+/(Fe2+ + Fe3+) molar ratios of the biotite granite and the MMEs range from 0.19 to 0.28, also supporting a relatively low magmatic ƒO2 nature. The reduced magmas could prevent Sn from oxidizing to Sn4+ to partition into Ti- or Fe-bearing minerals, so that Sn remains incompatible during magma crystallization. The high-temperature (~871°C) mafic magma injection could lead to decomposition of biotite and amphibole from both the previously crystallized Sn-bearing phases and the country rocks, releasing a significant amount of Sn into the mixed melt, which has elevated the Sn contents from ~49 to ~102 ppm in the melt, as revealed by the amphibole Sn concentration and Monte Carlo modeling. The current study highlights the importance of the injected mafic magma, the reduced nature of the parental magmas, and the interaction with Sn-rich country rocks in facilitating the Sn mineralization at Haliheiba, and suggests that these factors may also be critical in the formation of the other Sn deposits in the Great Xing’an Range.

Plastics in aquatic environments interact with metals,influencingtheir fate and transport. Biotic aging of plastics plays a pivotalrole in this process, but the mechanisms are still unclear. Here,we employed laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma massspectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) to track elemental cross-sectionaldistribution in biotically aged plastics and assess metal enrichmentwithin the biofilm. Copper, sorbed from the water environment, wasused as a marker of biofilm presence, while antimony and tin markedthe plastic phase for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polylacticacid (PLA), respectively. Aged samples revealed distinct metal distributionpatterns tracking copper enrichment on the surface, whereas physicochemicalchanges happened on the plastic surface after aging, highlightingthe biofilm presence. Copper depletion in water during the aging experimentconfirmed that aged plastics accumulate this metal, showing the keyrole of biofilms in governing this process. Conventional analysisbased on acid digestion of plastic fragments only partially capturedthis enrichment, underscoring the added value of LA–ICP–MSto specifically track metals accumulated from the water in comparisonto those present in the polymer matrix. These results highlight theneed to account for biofilm-mediated processes in risk assessmentsand establish LA–ICP–MS as a powerful tool for investigatingmetal–plastic interactions.

Extractive pyrometallurgy is an established process for recycling lithium-ion batteries (LIB). One approach to recover lithium from slags produced by pyrometallurgical recycling of LIB involves accumulating lithium in an engineered artificial mineral (EnAM) facilitating recovery. β-Eucryptite (LiAlSiO4) is a promising EnAM-candidate as it is chemically similar to the primary lithium ore spodumene (LiAlSi2O6) making co-processing a viable option. However, for economic recycling the β-eucryptite must have a high lithium content, a high purity, and display a favorable microstructure. The presented work aims to quantify all three parameters. An industrial pyrometallurgical slag was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS). The analyzed β-eucryptite shows a high lithium content of 5.45 mass % while containing only low amounts of iron (0.64 mass %) and calcium (0.2 mass %). However, small mean grain sizes (< 21 µm) and unfavorable grain shapes impede the separation of β-eucryptite. It was discovered that chromium and vanadium were accumulated in spinel phases of the chromite-coulsonite solid solution series. Producing a Cr, V-bearing spinel concentrate would enable the recycling of both metals as well as improving the quality of the residual lithium-depleted slag as a by-product.

ABSTRACT The central and eastern regions of medieval Ethiopia were characterized by intensive transcultural connections, as evidenced by the presence of imported glass bead artifacts. An assemblage of over 18,800 beads and their fragments, currently in the Ethiopian National Museum in Addis Ababa, has been studied during the SolZag Project. This paper presents the results of an analysis of 133 glass beads from eight sites of the local and Islamic cultures dated between the eighth and 16th centuries ce . A study of the glass samples using laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) revealed that they fell into a number of compositional types. Beads made from plant ash‐soda‐lime glass associated with Middle Eastern (northern Syria, Iran, and Iraq) production dated to the 9th–10th centuries ce and beads with East Mediterranean (Egypt and Levant) origin dated after the mid‐10th century dominated the assemblage. Many beads were made of Indian mineral‐soda‐high‐alumina glass as well as Central Asian plant ash‐soda high‐alumina glass. European beads are represented by lead glass and soda‐lime glass. The outcomes of this investigation offer novel evidence pertaining to the provenance and chronology of glass beads extant in medieval and postmedieval Northeast Africa. They further contribute hitherto unavailable data to the ongoing research concerning the land and sea trade contacts of Ethiopia from that period.