Mineral Crushing Methods for Noble Gas Analyses of Fluid Inclusions

Noble gases are frequently probed for investigating fluid inclusions in minerals to unravel rock-forming processes through time. Over the last decades, heating and crushing have been two main methods applied noble gas extraction from ultrahigh vacuum (about 10-9 mBar). The of or pieces bulk rock causes release both mineral matrix, latter due temperature-dependent dehydration. Crushing only affects allows a at room temperature with minor contributions matrix. This review describes different ultravacuum techniques analysis inclusions. It examines technical details operational conditions each system as well prepare samples prior crushing. systems were found unique designs across laboratories reviewed; they include single multiple sample loadings manual, magnetic, hydraulic operation pistons. Due small amounts released, technology requires several mg few grams material achieve measurement all stable isotopes inclusion. While theoretically interest, elements reported studies vary widely reference materials laboratory intercomparisons lacking. includes applications on origins magmatic rocks geochemical Earth’s mantle, origin chemical composition deep crustal fluids how these contribute formation economic paleoclimate based speleothems.