SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, December 21. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Institute of Technology and Renewable Energy (ITER), an entity dependent on the Cabildo de Tenerife, has installed and launched the first multi-collector mass spectrometer for the isotopic analysis of noble gases (NGMS; Helix MC Plus) in Spain.
This scientific instrumentation has been acquired through the project EQC2021-007035-P, funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Union within the framework of the Next Generation EU Recovery Plan and the Recovery, Transformation and Recovery Plan. Resilience of Spain (PRTR).
The Minister of Innovation, Research and Development, Juan José Martínez, points out in a note that ITER “has marked a significant milestone in the scientific field by having the first multi-collector mass spectrometer for the isotopic analysis of noble gases at the national level” .
With this addition, he continues, “the ITER geochemistry laboratory is consolidated as the most complete in Spain for the chemical and isotopic analysis of noble gases.”
Thus, he points out that “this new instrumentation will be fundamental for strengthening the research work carried out in Tenerife related to the monitoring of volcanic activity, exploration of geothermal resources, underground water resources and dating of volcanic rocks, among others.”
Specifically, it is a magnetic sector mass spectrometer used for the analysis of the isotopic composition of small samples of noble gases, specially designed for the analysis of isotopes of heavy noble gases (Neon, Argon, Krypton and Xenon). .
The instrumentation also has a laser ablation system for the extraction of gases in fluid inclusions of minerals and enables the analysis of the isotopic composition of noble gases in any type of samples (solid, liquid or gaseous).
The ITER geochemistry laboratory, which already had a noble gas spectrometer (NGMS; Helix SFT) designed for the isotopic analysis of helium, has reinforced its technical and analytical capabilities with the installation of this second spectrometer.
The noble gases are excellent tracers of the movement of fluids through the crust, since they are not abundant, very mobile and chemically inert, they stand out from the corporation.
