江西大岭上钨矿花岗斑岩锆石特征、成因及意义

锆石特征较好地记录了形成环境,可以指示其成因类型,反演寄主岩石岩浆的演化过程。本文利用阴极发光和LA-ICPMS技术获得了江西大岭上钨矿区花岗斑岩锆石的阴极发光图像、微量元素数据。研究表明该花岗斑岩中的锆石包括无核燕山期岩浆锆石、继承锆石和被捕获锆石。无核锆石阴极发光图像暗黑,Th/U<0.1,LREE/HREE比值高,Ce弱正异常,平均锆石Ti温度计地质温度为872℃,兼具岩浆锆石和热液锆石的特征,为形成于伟晶岩阶段之前的富含热液的岩浆晚期阶段的岩浆锆石。捕获锆石整体具灰白阴极发光,其裂隙中见暗黑阴极发光,Th/U>0.4,LREE/HREE值低,Ce正异常,锆石Ti温度计地质温度为766℃,为典型的岩浆锆石。继承锆石的核具有灰白色阴极发光,其边缘阴极发光暗黑,锆石微量元素特征值介于前两类锆石之间,其核部为形成于燕山期之前的岩浆锆石,其边部为与无核锆石同时形成的锆石边。区域上形成于燕山期之前的岩浆岩仅有晋宁期花岗闪长岩,因此捕获锆石和继承锆石核可能来源于晋宁期花岗闪长岩。晋宁期花岗闪长岩可能是黑云母花岗斑岩的一种源岩。无核锆石特征说明,该类锆石结晶时,寄主岩石岩浆处于富含高温热液、压力降低的环境中,岩浆演化处于伟晶岩阶段之前的岩浆晚期阶段。该阶段的这种富含热液的岩浆具有很强的金属运载能力,值得进一步研究。     

辽东半岛早白垩世早期高分异花岗伟晶岩成因与构造背景

包括辽东半岛在内的华北克拉通北缘早白垩世早期岩浆活动极其稀少，研究程度较低，导致该时期的地质背景限定缺乏直接证据.对辽东半岛三股流地区新发现的花岗伟晶岩开展了岩石学、锆石U-Pb年代学、锆石阴极发光（CL）成像技术、锆石微量元素、全岩地球化学和锆石Lu-Hf同位素等方面的研究，以期为研究区早白垩世早期构造背景提供制约.花岗伟晶岩锆石阴极发光微弱甚至不发光，大多数锆石内部结构为斑杂状分带或海绵状分带，少见岩浆震荡环带，Th/U < 0.1，其锆石稀土元素特征也与岩浆锆石明显不同，显示出热液锆石特征.锆石U-Pb年代学结果表明花岗伟晶岩的形成年龄为144.3±2.7 Ma，属早白垩世早期.花岗伟晶岩以富Si、Al、碱，贫Fe、Mg，富集大离子亲石元素，亏损高场强元素，以及显示出一定的四分组效应为特征.其ε_Hf（t）为-27.4~-24.7，二阶段模式年龄为2.91~2.74 Ga，与五龙中晚侏罗世花岗岩Hf同位素组成相类似.综合以上研究，认为三股流花岗伟晶岩经历了较高程度的分异结晶，与五龙中晚侏罗世花岗岩存在成因联系，其成岩介质为富含热液的岩浆-热液共存体系.辽东半岛早白垩世早期岩浆活动形成于伸展背景，该伸展背景可能与蒙古-鄂霍茨克洋后碰撞伸展和太平洋俯冲相关.      

东昆仑山脉晚志留世-早侏罗世花岗类岩石中锆石微量元素地球化学特征及地质意义

为了更深入的认识东昆仑山脉岩浆作用和构造演化历史,本文采用激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子质谱仪(LA-ICP-MS)方法对东昆仑山脉中部和东部不同时代的花岗类岩石中锆石进行了系统的微量元素分析。东昆仑山脉晚志留世二长花岗岩和晚二叠世、晚三叠世、早侏罗世花岗岩中绝大多数锆石Th/U0.5,锆石的球粒陨石标准化REE配分曲线均为HREE相对于MREE和LREE富集,并且具有Ce正异常和Eu负异常,为典型的岩浆锆石。晚志留世二长花岗岩和晚二叠世、晚三叠世花岗岩锆石具有低的Ce正异常,高的Eu负异常;早侏罗世花岗岩锆石则具有高的Ce正异常,高Nb、Ta含量,低Eu负异常;晚二叠世花岗岩锆石还具有高∑REE、Y、Th、U含量;而晚三叠世花岗岩锆石则在所有样品中具有最高的Hf含量,是演化程度高的岩浆产物。除此之外,晚志留世、晚二叠世、晚三叠世和早侏罗世样品中部分锆石呈现LREE富集,说明它们在岩浆晚期可能遭受LREE富集热液的改造。根据锆石Ti温度计,计算出所有样品的结晶温度小于800℃,说明它们很有可能形成于富集流体的俯冲带环境。结合前人研究资料和所分析锆石的U-Pb年龄数据,对东昆仑山脉中古-中生代多期的构造-岩浆事件提供了新的约束:(1)晚志留世二长花岗岩的形成可能与一个小型洋盆的俯冲作用有关,其岩浆源区是地壳浅部的沉积基底;(2)晚二叠世花岗岩可能是在古特提斯洋向北俯冲过程中由于幔源岩浆使浅层地壳发生熔融形成;(3)晚三叠世-早侏罗世花岗岩在羌塘和昆仑-柴达木同碰撞过程形成。     

东秦岭东段五垛山花岗岩基白草垛花岗伟晶岩微量元素富集型锆石特征及岩浆热液过程

锆石是岩石中常见的副矿物,锆石晶体结构和地球化学特征的变化可以记录热液蚀变过程。东秦岭东段白草垛花岗伟晶岩中识别出三种类型锆石。类型一锆石具有明显的振荡环带,部分锆石边部有少量裂隙,微量元素含量相对较低,重稀土元素(HREE)富集,具明显Ce的正异常和Eu的负异常,指示其为岩浆锆石。类型二锆石具核-幔-边结构,边部裂隙发育,核部与类型一锆石具有相似的CL和微量元素特征,为岩浆锆石;幔部呈深色海绵状,内部结构不均匀,偶见环带锆石残留,微量元素含量较高,具有较高的U和Th含量,Ce异常不明显,具热液锆石特征,为热液沿着裂隙进入锆石内部不完全热液改造的结果。类型三锆石的结构特征和微量元素含量与类型二锆石的幔部相似,具有异常高U和Th含量以及较高的D_α值,为类型二锆石近完全热液改造的结果。花岗伟晶岩作为岩浆演化晚期的产物,经过结晶分异,残留的岩浆热液富集微量元素,岩浆热液沿着锆石的裂隙进入晶体内部对锆石经过不同程度热液改造,形成了花岗伟晶岩中不同类型的锆石。     

蚌埠淮光“混合花岗闪长岩”的形成时代及源区：锆石SHRIMP U-Pb地质年代学证据

对蚌埠淮光花岗闪长岩的岩相学和锆石阴极发光图象研究表明,淮光"混合花岗闪长岩"为岩浆结晶作用的产物,岩石形成后受到了应力作用的改造.锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年结果和岩浆锆石的SHRIMP U-Pb年龄显示淮光花岗闪长岩形成于130.0±2.0 Ma;大多数继承锆石的年龄集中在1 800～1 900 Ma、2 300～2 517 Ma和3 443 Ma,这意味着淮光花岗闪长岩的母岩浆起源于华北地块基底的部分熔融.早白垩世(130 Ma左右)的岩浆作用是引起继承锆石和碎屑锆石Pb丢失的重要原因,同时也是华北地块东部岩石圈减薄的最重要时期.130 Ma左右的岩浆作用和岩石圈减薄应与太平洋板块的俯冲相联系.     

不同成因锆石阴极发光及微量元素特征:以新疆阿尔泰地区花岗岩和伟晶岩为例

新疆阿勒泰可可托海地区出露大量花岗岩和伟晶岩脉,利用阴极发光显微照相(CL)、电子探针背散射(BSE)和激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子质谱技术(LA-ICP-MS),观察和分析岩石中锆石的内部结构、稀土元素及Th,U含量后结果表明:该区花岗岩锆石具振荡环带和强烈的阴极发光特征,Th/U比值较高(Th/U=0.16～0.99),轻稀土亏损、重稀土富集,具较大的Ce正异常,为典型岩浆成因锆石。伟晶岩(KP-08-11)锆石为热液锆石,不具振荡环带和阴极发光,具低的Th/U比值(0.01～0.13),强烈富集稀土元素,尤其是轻稀土元素较花岗岩锆石高一个数量级,Ce的正异常相对较低。伟晶岩(KP3-08-1)锆石为变质重结晶锆石,Th/U比值分布范围较广(0.01～0.78),强烈亏损稀土元素,稀土元素配分模式存在显著的"REE四分组效应"。微量元素特征表明,伟晶岩(KP-08-11)锆石可能结晶自富U贫Th的残余岩浆流体,而伟晶岩(KP3-08-1)的锆石经历了蜕晶质化和变质重结晶作用,但依然保持了共存伟晶岩熔体的微量元素特征。     

滇西梁河三叠纪花岗岩的锆石微量元素、U-Pb和Hf同位素组成

在详细的区域地质调查基础上,分析了滇西梁河三叠纪花岗岩中锆石微区微量元素、U-Pb年龄和Hf同位素。花岗岩中大部分锆石具有振荡环带,为典型岩浆锆石,并发现独特的双核结构锆石,具有核幔边结构,双核锆石继承核与本文岩浆锆石有类似的微量元素特征,而双核锆石增生边(低轻稀土、轻微负Ce异常、高重稀土、低Th、高U、Ti、P)与它们不同。注意到双核锆石外围有一圈灰白色热液蚀变边,认为双核锆石增生边的微量元素特征可能是自身结晶生长过程和后期蚀变影响的综合结果,继承核和增生边同为岩浆成因。双核锆石继承核的206Pb/238U年龄分别为302.5±2.9Ma和289.9±2.5Ma,双核锆石增生边和其他岩浆锆石的206Pb/238U加全平均年龄为213.1±1.7Ma(MSWD=7.7),晚三叠世花岗岩的锆石具有负的εHf(213Ma)值(-9.6～-6.7),并且其tDM2Hf值(1.6～1.8Ga)远大于其结晶年龄,结合大地构造演化,认为花岗岩的形成可能与后碰撞伸展背景下古老地壳熔融相关。     

东昆仑金水口花岗岩体锆石U-Pb年代学及其地质意义

金水口岩体出露于东昆仑北坡,岩性主要为含石榴子石的过铝花岗岩和不含石榴子石的二长花岗岩及花岗闪长岩。自该岩体从金水口群解体以来,其形成时代一直制约着该地区构造演化的恢复。对锆石内部结构、阴极发光图像特征和Th/U比值的研究表明,金水口岩体中锆石主要为岩浆锆石,个别含有残留锆石核。锆石U-Pb同位素LA-ICPMS和SHRIMP原位分析结果显示,金水口电站周围的石榴堇青花岗岩及黑云母花岗闪长岩形成年龄分别为(411±17)Ma和(396±18)Ma,说明金水口岩体为早泥盆世的花岗质侵入体,是在早古生代末由柴达木地块基底富Si和Al的地壳物质重熔的产物。该套S型花岗岩记录了古元古代的两期源区物质信息(约1.63Ga和约1.78Ga),代表了东昆仑造山带早古生代末期的一期重要岩浆热事件。     

福建政和地区熊山岩体锆石U--Pb定年、地球化学特征及其成矿意义

熊山岩体分布于福建政和地区,大地构造位置位于华南褶皱系东部的闽中裂谷带中西部,岩性总体上属基性岩。浅部主要为细粒辉长岩、辉绿玢岩,深部出现粗粒闪长岩和花岗闪长岩类。细粒辉长岩的LA—ICP—MS锆石U—Pb测年结果为(463.9±6.2) Ma,粗粒闪长岩的LA—ICP—MS锆石U—Pb测年结果为(465.7±6.1) Ma,表明熊山岩体的结晶年龄为465.7～463.9 Ma。样品在TAS图解中主要投影在辉长岩范围内。细粒辉长岩中稀土元素总量偏低,(La/Yb)_N为1.08,LREE/HREE比值为1.94;δEu为0.83,表现为较弱的负异常;δCe为0.92,基本无异常; LILE (K、Sr、Ba)含量较低,HFSE (U、Zr、Nb)和Ti表现为较弱的正异常。粗粒闪长岩及花岗闪长岩中稀土元素总量中等,(La/Yb)_N为8.68和8.91,LREE/HREE比值为8.60和8.50,富集轻稀土元素;δEu为0.95和0.87,表现为较弱的负异常;δCe为0.96和0.99,无明显异常;样品中LILE (K、Rb、Ba、Sr)相对富集,HFSE (U、Th、Nb)、Ti和P亏损。根据岩体地球化学特征,认为形成熊山岩体早期细粒辉长岩的岩浆来自于深部的地幔橄榄岩,而形成较晚期的粗粒闪长岩和花岗闪长岩类的岩浆则来自于玄武质和榴辉岩熔体区。熊山岩体成岩时间早于大药坑金矿床形成时间,不是成矿岩体,但在后期成矿过程中可提供成矿物质,是金矿形成的"矿源岩"。     

大兴安岭西坡银都赋矿岩体LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年及其成因意义

银都矿床位于内蒙古大兴安岭西坡,为受断裂控制的银多金属矿床。该矿床的岩体主要为石英闪长岩。该岩体中的锆石分为岩浆锆石和热液锆石两类:岩浆锆石无色透明,自形长柱状,具有典型的振荡环带特征;而热液锆石呈浅褐色,半透明—不透明,等轴状,其暗色增生边明显切过了核部岩浆锆石结构。热液锆石相对岩浆锆石具有低Th/U和LREE,高Hf和HREE的特征。银都岩体岩浆锆石的206Pb/238 U加权平均年龄为(451.8±7.8)Ma,属加里东期,为岩体的结晶年龄;热液锆石的206 Pb/238 U加权平均年龄为(337.0±7.7)Ma,属中石炭世,代表了热液作用的年龄。热液锆石年龄表明,该区在337Ma左右经历了一次强烈的热液作用,该期热液作用可能与该区造山峰期的变质作用有关。本区的地质特征和流体包裹体特征表明,本区银矿的形成很可能与这期热液活动密切相关。     

Hydrogen and carbon in solid solution in oxides and silicates

The dissolution of H₂O and CO₂ in structurally dense, nominally anhydrous and non-carbonate oxide matrices such as MgO and CaO is reviewed. H₂O and CO₂ are treated as gaseous oxide components which enter into solid solution with the refractory oxide hosts. They form anion complexes associated with cation vacancy sites. Evidence is presented that OH^? pairs which derive from the dissolution of H₂O are subject to a charge transfer (CT) conversion into peroxy moieties and molecular hydrogen, O ₂ ^2? ... H₂. Because the O ₂ ^2? moiety is small (O^?-O^? distance ≈ 1.5 Å) high pressure probably favors the CT conversion. Mass spectroscopic studies show that molecular H₂ may be lost from the solid which retains excess oxygen in the form of O ₂ ^2? , leading to the release of atomic O. The dissociation of O ₂ ^2? moieties into a vacancy-bound O^? state and an unbound O^? state can be followed by measuring the internal redox reactions involving transition metal impurities, the transient paramagnetism of the O^? and their effect on the d.c. conductivity. Evidence is presented that CO₂ molecules dissolve dissociatively in the structurally dense oxide matrix, as if they were first to dissociate into CO+O and then to form separate solute moieties CO ₂ ^2? and O ₂ ^2? , both associated with cation vacancy sites. In the CO ₂ ^2? moiety (C-O^? distance 1.2–1.3 Å, OCO angle ≈ 130°) the C atom probably sits off center. The transition of the C atom into interstitial sites is accompanied by dissociation of the CO ₂ ^2? moiety into CO^? and O^?. This transition can be followed by infrared spectroscopy, using OH^? as local probes. Further support derives from magnetic susceptibility, thermal expansion, low frequency dielectric loss and low temperature deformation measurements. The recently observed emission of O and Mg atoms besides a variety of molecules such as CO, CO₂, CH₄, HCN and other hydrocarbons during impact fracture of MgO single crystals is presented and discussed in the light of the other experimental data.     

岩溶地区现代土壤与洞穴石笋中单甲基支链烷烃与烷基环己烷对比研究

利用GC-MS（气相色谱—质谱仪）,对采自湖北清江流域和尚洞洞顶的土壤样品与洞内石笋样品进行分析,发现土壤中存在的七个系列单甲基支链烷烃在所有的石笋样品中均可以找到,呈现相似的分布模式,石笋中七个系列支链烷烃有可能来自洞穴滴水携带的土壤中的支链烷烃,但是也不能排除石笋原地生长的微生物的贡献。烷基环己烷的分布在土壤与石笋中呈现了相似的分布模式,但是主峰碳数有所变化,高碳数部分与低碳数部分的相对含量也发生了变化。主要原因可能是微生物选择性降解的结果,也有可能是土壤与石笋中微生物种类分布差异所造成的。本次研究初步显示了相对封闭稳定的洞穴沉积物与上覆土壤层中生物标志化合物的异同。      

Geogenic and anthropogenic zinc in epiphytic and terricolous lichens in Finland

At 31 sites in Finland the Zn content was determined of the epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. growing on pine and birch, the terricolous lichen Cladina spp. in pine bark, and the inner part of birch bark. The anomalous contents of Zn in H. physodes on pine and Cladina spp. in soil appeared to be strongly related to sulphide ore deposits. Anthropogenic Zn correlated closely with S and Fe in H. physodes on pine and with Fe in Cladina spp. The binding of geogenic Zn was related to iron hydroxides, and was attributed to the different uptake mechanism of S in these lichens. Elevated values of Zn in H. physodes on birch were due to both geogenic and anthropogenic sources. Zinc in pine bark increased with the Zn content in H. physodes and reached a limiting value.     

Comparative urbanization in Ghana and Kenya in time and space

There are few inter-African country urban analyses because of the continent’s enormous size and socioeconomic diversity, language barriers, and wide variations in national and regional urban research capacity. Nevertheless, comparative urban studies are critical in understanding contemporary African urbanization. In this comparative spatial and temporal analysis of Ghana and Kenya’s urbanization, we find that both countries are urbanizing rapidly and are faced with many common urban problems. Moreover, Ghana is more urbanized than Kenya and has a larger indigenous urban imprint and a more widely dispersed urban pattern. Besides their physiographic and population conditions, we trace these countries’ convergent and divergent urban trends to their shared but unique experiences of colonialism, nationalism and globalization.     

Temporal and spatial variations in water discharge and sediment load in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers in Himalaya, India

The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers originate in the mountainous regions of the Himalayas (Garhwal) and result in high sediment yields causing flood hazards downstream of the Ganga River and high sediment flux to the Bay of Bengal. The rivers are perennial, since runoff in these rivers is controlled by both precipitation and glacial melt. In the present study, three locations in the upper reaches of the Ganga River were monitored for 1 yr (daily observations of, more than >1000 samples) for suspended sediment concentrations. In addition, more than one hundred samples were collected from various locations of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers at different periods to observe spatial and temporal variations in river suspensions. Further, multi-annual data (up to 40 yrs) of water flow and sediment concentrations were used for inferring the variations in water flow and sediment loads on longer time scales. In most previous studies of Himalayan Rivers, there has been a general lack of long term water flow and sediment load data. In the present study, we carried out high frequency sampling, considered long term discharge data and based on these information, discussed the temporal and spatial variations in water discharge and sediment loads in the rivers in the Himalayan region. The results show that, >75% of annual sediment loads are transported during the monsoon season (June through September). The annual physical weathering rates in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi River basins at Devprayag are estimated to be 863 tons km⁻² yr⁻¹ (3.25 mm yr⁻¹) and 907 tons km⁻² yr⁻¹ (3.42 mm yr⁻¹) respectively, which are far in excess of the global average of 156 tons km⁻² yr⁻¹ (0.58 mm yr⁻¹).     

Discovery of Cinnabar in Soils in Hg Anomalous Zones in City and Town Areas and Their Surroundings and Its Significance

As a result of systematic study on heavy minerals in soils at city and town areas and their surroundings,cinnabar was discovered for the first time in areas of Hg anomalies in China, and it was found that the distribution of cinnabar was basically coincident in scope with that of Hg anomalies, showing that Hg anomalies were‘closely related to cinnabar. This finding provides a theoretical basis for a verification of Hg anomalies in soils in city and town areas and their surroundings, as well as evaluation of its ecological effects, and is significant to revealing the occurrence modes and origin of Hg in soils.     

煤中气孔和镶嵌结构及其在煤变质研究中的意义

河南省禹县、新密和荥巩煤田山西组Ⅱ₁煤的贫煤和无烟煤中,气孔发育。气孔形态有椭圆状（图版1）、圆状及不规则状（图版2）,有的几个气孔连在一起呈大的朵状气孔(图版3)。此外,在荥巩煤田西部无烟煤中还发育有镀嵌结构(图版4)。      

Regional gravity survey and application in oil and gas exploration in China

Ground gravity survey for regional structure unit delineation and oil and gas exploration in China is addressed in this paper with examples. Gravity survey scales, coverage, technical regulations and achievements at the national level are introduced, including data processing and anomaly interpretation techniques. Bouguer anomalies of terrestrial territories of China and classification of anomalous feature zones are also described; they are well correlated with lithotectonical boundaries, fault zones, and unexposed igneous plutons. Recent study results of petroliferous sedimentary basins are presented as well, including concealed boundaries and major structures of large basins. It is concluded that gravity survey is the most effective and economic method in unveiling unexposed and deep-seated structures, targeting and delineating oil and gas-bearing sedimentary basins, and locating main trap structures within prolific basins in early stage of exploration in China. Suggestions for improving exploration of both conventional and unconventional oil and gas reservoirs in China are also given in the paper.     

Re-Os and Pd-Ag systematics in Group IIIAB irons and in pallasites

Using improved analytical techniques, which reduce the Re blanks by factors of 8 to 10, we report new Re-Os data on low Re and low PGE pallasites (PAL-anom) and IIIAB irons. The new pallasite samples nearly double the observed range in Re/Os for pallasites and allow the determination of an isochron of slope 0.0775 ± 0.0008 (T = 4.50 ± 0.04 Ga, using the adjusted λ¹⁸⁷Re = 1.66 × 10⁻¹¹ a⁻¹) and initial (¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os)₀ = 0.09599 ± 0.00046. If the data on different groups of pallasites (including the “anomalous” pallasites) are considered to define a whole-rock isochron, their formation would appear to be distinctly younger than for the iron meteorites by ∼60 Ma. Five IIIAB irons (Acuna, Bella Roca, Chupaderos, Grant, and Bear Creek), with Re contents ranging from 0.9 to 2.8 ppb, show limited Re/Os fractionation and plot within errors on the IIAB iron meteorite isochron of slope 0.07848 ± 0.00018 (T = 4.56 ± 0.01 Ga) and initial (¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os)₀ = 0.09563 ± 0.00011. Many of the meteorites were analyzed also for Pd-Ag and show ¹⁰⁷Ag enrichments correlated with Pd/Ag, requiring early formation and fractionation of the FeNi metal, in a narrow time interval, after injection of live ¹⁰⁷Pd (t_1/2 = 6.5 Ma) into the solar nebula. Based on Pd-Ag, the typical range in relative ages of these meteorites is ≤10 Ma. The Pd-Ag results suggest early formation and preservation of the ¹⁰⁷Pd-¹⁰⁷Ag systematics, both for IIIAB irons and for pallasites, while the younger Re-Os apparent age for pallasites suggests that the Re-Os system in pallasites was subject to re-equilibration. The low Re and low PGE pallasites show significant Re/Os fractionation (higher Re/Os) as the Re and PGE contents decrease. By contrast, the IIIAB irons show a restricted range in Re/Os, even for samples with extremely low Re and PGE contents. There is a good correlation of Re and Ir contents. The correlation of Re and Os contents for IIIAB irons shows a similar complex pattern as observed for IIAB irons (Morgan et al., 1995), and neither can be ascribed to a continuous fractional crystallization process with uniform solid-metal/liquid-metal distribution coefficients.     

Trends in Analytical Developments and Earth Science Applications in LA-ICP-MS and LA-MC-ICP-MS for 2004 and 2005

This review of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry includes research that employed quadrupole instruments, and single-collector and multicollector magnetic sector field instruments. The most important trend in 2004–2005 was the growing appreciation that small matrix effects in LA-(MC)-ICP-MS need to be addressed in order to produce highly precise and accurate data by the method. The issue is most acute for isotope ratio measurements that require standard-sample-standard bracketing but can also be important for certain elemental analysis. Matrix-dependent elemental and isotopic fractionations were studied from the standpoint of laser-sample interactions and the behaviour of laser-generated particles in the ablation cell, transfer tubing and ICP torch. Innovations in LA-(MC)-ICP-MS involved signal smoothing, in torch laser ablation, on-line isotope dilution and molecular oxide monitoring. Other important research was carried out on the calibration and homogeneity of various reference materials; and the exploration of mature ( in situ U-Pb geochronology) and emerging (apatite fission-track chronometry, U-Th/He thermochronology, boron/strontium/uranium-series isotopic microanalysis) applications in the Earth sciences.