Calculating the combined elemental composition of spodumene using La_ICP_MS in thin_sections samples from Europe.

Abstract: The study gives a broad background to understand the high demand of lithium batteries in the coming years, especially in Europe. The goal of the study is to use La-ICP-MS to analyse spodumene samples from different lithium deposits in Europe to get a better knowledge of the contents of trace elements in spodumene. Due to unforeseen circumstances linked to the pandemic of COVID-19. the study had to develop an own method to calculate and convert the data acquired with the La-ICP-MS into more quantitative data.  The method developed requires more research and understanding before saying that it can be used for future research, especially for the calculation of major element Li, Al and Si as it showed a value difference to 20% of the “real value”. Source of contamination in the analysed samples (eucryptite) is also being discussed and its implication on the result. Results acquired using this method showed that some trace elements are indeed occurring in spodumene substituting the main elements and are found in all the different geological domains. These elements (Ga, Mn, Se, Fe, V, T) will then also occur in a concentrate of spodumene.