In this study we use single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) to investigate the presence, composition, concentrations, size distributions and dispersal of nanoparticulate forms of gold pathfinder elements in stream sediments. We tested this method in Lytle Creek, which drains from the Sundance gold mineralization in Wyoming, USA. Within this system, spICP-MS analysis of stream sediments provides new insights into the downstream dispersal of pathfinder elements including Ag, Sb, Bi, Te and Tl. Nanoparticulate forms of these pathfinder elements are highly abundant in the sediments, with 104–107 particles detected per gram of sediment. Despite significant gold anomalies detected by aqua regia/ICP-MS, nanoparticulate Au was not detected, suggesting it is held in larger particles. Nanoparticulate concentrations of Ag, Sb, Bi, Te and Tl reflected the exponential decay down drainage seen in the bulk concentrations. A significant fraction of nanoparticulate mass of these pathfinder elements is held in particles below the spICP-MS size detection limits. We found that among the five pathfinders tested, Ag behaved uniquely, with respect to both the fraction of its total concentration present as nanoparticles and its logarithmic particle size distribution. Both observations may indicate dissolution/reprecipitation of Ag, or size-dependent transport mechanisms for its dispersal. This study provides insight into the role of nanoparticles in forming stream sediment geochemical anomalies, and suggests that spICP-MS may be a useful complement to conventional techniques for future mineral exploration.
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Research Article|
February 28, 2025
Investigating nanoparticle pathfinder geochemistry in stream sediments using single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: a case study at the Sundance gold mineralization, Wyoming, USA
Aaron J. Goodman;
Aaron J. Goodman
*
1
Department of Chemistry
, Colorado School of Mines
, Golden, CO 80401, USA
*
Correspondence: [email protected]
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Mary E. Doherty;
Mary E. Doherty
2
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
, Colorado School of Mines
, Golden, CO 80401, USA
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James F. Ranville
James F. Ranville
1
Department of Chemistry
, Colorado School of Mines
, Golden, CO 80401, USA
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Aaron J. Goodman
*
1
Department of Chemistry
, Colorado School of Mines
, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Mary E. Doherty
2
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
, Colorado School of Mines
, Golden, CO 80401, USA
James F. Ranville
1
Department of Chemistry
, Colorado School of Mines
, Golden, CO 80401, USA
*
Correspondence: [email protected]
Publisher: Geological Society of London
Received:
02 Nov 2024
Revision Received:
23 Jan 2025
Accepted:
25 Jan 2025
First Online:
29 Jan 2025
Online ISSN: 2041-4943
Print ISSN: 1467-7873
Funding
- Funder(s):Engineer Research and Development Center
- Award Id(s): W912HZ-21-2-0049
- Award Id(s):
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by The Geological Society of London for GSL and AAG. All rights, including for text and data mining (TDM), artificial intelligence (AI) training, and similar technologies, are reserved. For permissions: https://www.lyellcollection.org/publishing-hub/permissions-policy. Publishing disclaimer: https://www.lyellcollection.org/publishing-hub/publishing-ethics
© 2025 The Author(s)
Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis (2025) 25 (1): geochem2024-066.
Article history
Received:
02 Nov 2024
Revision Received:
23 Jan 2025
Accepted:
25 Jan 2025
First Online:
29 Jan 2025
Citation
Aaron J. Goodman, Mary E. Doherty, James F. Ranville; Investigating nanoparticle pathfinder geochemistry in stream sediments using single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: a case study at the Sundance gold mineralization, Wyoming, USA. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis 2025;; 25 (1): geochem2024–066. doi: https://doi.org/10.1144/geochem2024-066
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Index Terms/Descriptors
- case studies
- Crook County Wyoming
- detection limit
- electron microscopy data
- fluvial environment
- geochemical anomalies
- geochemical methods
- gold ores
- ICP mass spectra
- mass spectra
- metal ores
- metals
- mineral exploration
- nanoparticles
- pathfinders
- rare earths
- sample preparation
- sampling
- sediments
- size distribution
- spectra
- stream sediments
- TEM data
- United States
- Wyoming
- Lytle Creek
- Sundance Mine
Latitude & Longitude
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