ABSTRACT
This standard operating procedure (SOP) validates an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) procedure for the determination of trace elements in hydrothermal fluids. Hydrothermal fluids are aqueous solutions with a wide range of temperature, salinity, pH and trace elements that can be used by a set of microbial proteins containing redox-sensitive transition metals as their catalytic core. Due to the high variability of these samples, we have developed this protocol taking into account the special features of the matrices analyzed. An ICP-MS 7900 Agilent system was used. Calibration curves are linear in the 0.01 to 100 µg/L concentration range.
This manuscript outlines the standard operating procedure used to determine trace elements in hydrothermal fluids, which are characterized by a high variability of physical-chemical parameters. Due to the high variability of our samples, we customized the method to compensate for the variability on the physico-chemical parameters. The obtained data on the distribution and abundance of trace elements in sediments and fluids can be used to track geochemical processes mobilizing the metals as well as their influence on the microbial diversity in geothermal systems.