Tellurium in volcanic and sedimentary systems – from outgassing to sequestration
Baumann N, Regelous M, Adatte T, Rudnick RL, Chen K, Schoene B, Keller G, Sharma N, Haase K (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 720
Article Number: 123617
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2026.123617
Abstract
We describe a method for rapid and precise analysis of Te in geological materials using a conventional single-quadrupole ICP-MS coupled with a commercially available desolvating nebulizer. Unlike previous methods, this method allows analyses of other trace elements in the same sample solutions. A single step ion-exchange preconcentration extends the method to samples containing less than 0.5 ng/g of Te. Combining this method with new S-Cd-In-Tl data, we derive an updated estimate of the average Te concentration of the upper continental crust of 36.7 ± 1.6 ng/g based on the analyses of glacial diamictite composites. Analyses of basaltic lavas from the Deccan continental flood basalt province indicate that Te was not fractionated into sulfides but is largely degassed from lavas. This is supported by the high Te content of paleosol horizons interbedded with basaltic lava flows. Leaching experiments carried out on Early Eocene ashes and interbedded sediments, deposited during flood basalt volcanism in the North Atlantic, indicate that volcanic Te is tightly bound to the sediment matrix and silicate particulates and not readily mobilized after deposition. Our results confirm that Te concentrations in sedimentary rocks may be a useful proxy for past volcanism.
Authors with CRIS profile
Nils Baumann
Lehrstuhl für Endogene Geodynamik (LEG)
Marcel Regelous
GeoZentrum Nordbayern
Karsten Haase
Lehrstuhl für Endogene Geodynamik (LEG)
Involved external institutions
Université de Lausanne (UNIL)
Switzerland (CH)
University of California
United States (USA) (US)
China University of Geosciences / 中国地质大学
China (CN)
Princeton University
United States (USA) (US)
Switzerland (CH)
University of California
United States (USA) (US)
China University of Geosciences / 中国地质大学
China (CN)
Princeton University
United States (USA) (US)
How to cite
APA:
Baumann, N., Regelous, M., Adatte, T., Rudnick, R.L., Chen, K., Schoene, B.,... Haase, K. (2026). Tellurium in volcanic and sedimentary systems – from outgassing to sequestration. Chemical Geology, 720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2026.123617
MLA:
Baumann, Nils, et al. "Tellurium in volcanic and sedimentary systems – from outgassing to sequestration." Chemical Geology 720 (2026).
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