Method Development

A close-up of inductively-coupled plasma source of the iCap Q quadrupole mass spectrometer. Geochemistry/Cosmochemistry Group, EPL. (photo: Steve Shirey)

Relevant Publications


Rapid synchrotron method for mapping and characterizing inclusions in diamond

Wenz, M.D., Jacobsen, S.D, Zhang, D., Regier, M., Bausch, H.J., Dera, P.K., Rivers, M., Eng, P., Shirey, S.B., and Pearson, D.G. (2019) Fast identification of mineral inclusions in diamond at GSECARS using synchrotron X-ray microtomography, radiography, and diffraction. Journal of Synchrotron Radiation 26(5) https://dx.doi.org/10.1107/s1600577519006854.


In-situ X-ray analysis of mineral inclusions in diamond

Agrosi, G., Tempesta, G., Mele, D., Allegretta, I., Terzano, R., Shirey, S. B., et al. (2017). Non-destructive, multi-method, internal analysis of multiple inclusions in a single diamond: First occurrence of mackinawite (Fe,Ni)(1+x)S. American MIneralogist, 102(11), 2235–2243. http://doi.org/10.2138/am-2017-6178


Laboratory glove contamination

Garçon, M., Sauzéat, L., Carlson, R. W., Shirey, S. B., Simon, M., Balter, V., & Boyet, M. (2017). Nitrile, Latex, Neoprene and Vinyl Gloves: A Primary Source of Contamination for Trace Element and Zn Isotopic Analyses in Geological and Biological Samples. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research. http://doi.org/10.1111/ggr.12161


Dissolution and identification method for nanophase PGE hosts in altered peridotite

Luguet, A., Shirey, S.B., Lorand, J.-P., Horan, M.F., and Carlson, R.W. (2007). Residual platinum group minerals from highly depleted harzburgites of the Lherz massif (France) and their role in HSE fractionation of the mantle: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 71, p. 3082-3097. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2007.04.011


Standard addition for Fe-Ni-Cu bulk composition of single sulfide inclusions

Westerlund, K.J., Shirey, S.B., Richardson, S.H., Carlson, R.W., Gurney, J.J., and Harris, J.W. (2006). A subduction origin for Early Archean peridotitic diamonds and harzburgites from the Panda kimberlite, Slave craton: Implications from Re-Os isotope systematics: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 152, p. 275-294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00410-006-0101-8


In-situ laser ablation analysis for boron isotopic composition

le Roux, P.J., Shirey, S.B., Benton, L., Hauri, E.H., and Mock, T. (2004). In-situ, multiple-multiplier, LA-ICPMS measurement of boron isotopic composition (d11B) at the subnanogram level: Chemical Geology, v. 203, p. 123-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2003.09.006


ICP-MS analysis of Li in geological materials

Tomascak, P.B., Carlson, R.W., and Shirey, S.B. (1999). Accurate and precise determination of Li isotopic compositions by multi-collector sector ICP-MS: Chemical Geology, v. 158, p. 145-154. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2541(99)00022-4


Single sulfide grain analysis for Re-Os isotopic analysis

Pearson, D.G., Shirey, S.B., Harris, J.W., and Carlson, R.W. (1998). Sulphide inclusions in diamonds from the Koffiefontein kimberlite, S Africa; constraints on diamond ages and mantle Re-Os systematics: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 160, p. 311-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-821X(98)00092-2


Sample digestion and sample-spike equilibration for Re-Os and PGE

Shirey, S.B., and Walker, R.J. (1995). Carius tube digestion for low-blank rhenium-osmium analysis: Analytical Chemistry, v. 34, p. 2136-2141. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ac00109a036


Multiple ion detection and simultaneous ion collection

Brown, L., Carlson, R.W. and Shirey, S.B. (1993). A multiple ion multiplier detector for use in a mass spectrometer.  Patent #5,220,167   U.S. Patent Office   June 15, 1993. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6393460


Cation column calibration

Shirey, S.B., Banner, J.L., and Hanson, G.N. (1987). Cation-exchange column calibration for Sr and the REE by EDTA titration: Chemical Geology; Isotope Geoscience Section, v. 65, p. 183-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-9622(87)90072-8


TIMS mass spectrometer automation

Flux-fusion whole-rock dissolution for Nd isotopic analysis

Shirey, S.B., 1984, The origin of Archean crust in the Rainy Lake area, Ontario. Unpublished PhD Dissertation, SUNY Stony Brook, 393pp.