Determination of Chlorine Contents in Geological Survey of Japan Reference Materials by Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis

We determined chlorine contents in nine GSJ (Geological Survey of Japan) reference materials (JB-1, 1a, 2, 3; JA-1, 2, 3; JR-1, 2) by prompt gamma neutron activation analysis, employing the standard addition method. Pressed powder disks of each reference material were used for neutron irradiation and gammaray measurement, after known quantities (25-200 μl) of sodium chloride solution were added. The influence of the nearby sodium peak overlap was checked, and fluctuations in the chlorine count rate were corrected using silicon as an internal standard. The slopes of calibration lines for seven reference materials (JB-1, 2, 3; JA-1, 2, 3; JR-2) and SiO₂ powders fall within 5% error, and their chlorine values were obtained from the intercepts. Chlorine contents in JB-1 a and JR-1 were also determined by using the calibration lines. Our chlorine values ranged from 26.1 to 934 μg g-¹, which agrees well with the previously reported values.     

Determination of Chlorine in Nine Rock Reference Materials by Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry

A procedure for the determination of chlorine by the isotope dilution technique (ID) using negative thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (N-TIMS) is described. Silicate samples of about 10 mg were spiked and decomposed with hydrofluoric acid, and chlorine was isolated by precipitation of silver chloride after neutralisation with Ca(OH)₂. The ammonical solution of AgCl was then subjected to N-TIMS. Replicate analyses of rock reference materials, typically of JB-1 and JR-1, demonstrated the high quality of the analyses (precision for Cl was ± 1-2%). We present here the most precise data sets of chlorine concentrations in nine igneous rock reference materials, three basalts (JB-1, JB-2, JB-3), two andesites (JA-3, AGV-1), two rhyolites (JR-1, JR-2) and two granodiorites (JG-3, GSP-1). The chlorine concentrations found ranged from 152 μg g-1 in AGV-1 to 1008 μg g^-1 in JR-1. Our results presented here are partly (but not completely) in agreement with recommended values, where they are available. The N-TIMS ID technique can thus be used as a means of determining low chlorine contents in silicate materials to high precision.     

Determination of Lithium Contents in Silicates by Isotope Dilution ICP-MS and its Evaluation by Isotope Dilution Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry

A precise and simple method for the determination of lithium concentrations in small amounts of silicate sample was developed by applying isotope dilution-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ID-ICP-MS). Samples plus a Li spike were digested with HF-HClO₄, dried and diluted with HNO₃, and measured by ICP-MS. No matrix effects were observed for ⁷Li/⁶Li in rock solutions with a dilution factor (DF) of 97 at an ICP power of 1.7 kW. By this method, the determination of 0.5 μg g^-1 Li in a silicate sample of 1 mg can be made with a blank correction of < 1%. Lithium contents of ultrabasic to acidic silicate reference materials (JP-1, JB-2, JB-3, JA-1, JA-2, JA-3, JR-1 and JR-2 from the Geological Survey of Japan, and PCC-1 from the US Geological Survey) and chondrites (three different Allende and one Murchison sample) of 8 to 81 mg were determined. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was typically < 1.7%. Lithium contents of these samples were further determined by isotope dilution-thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS). The relative differences between ID-ICP-MS and ID-TIMS were typically < 2%, indicating the high accuracy of ID-ICP-MS developed in this study.     

Ion Chromatographic Determination of Fluorine and Chlorine in Silicate Rocks Following Alkaline Fusion

A simple and accurate method to determine fluorine and chlorine contents in small amounts (∼ 30 mg) in rock has been developed using ion chromatography after extraction by alkaline fusion. Powdered sample was mixed with sodium carbonate and zinc oxide at a mass ratio of 1:3:1, and was fused in an electric furnace at 900 °C for 30-40 minutes. An aqueous solution obtained by dissolving the fused silicate rock was diluted to the appropriate concentration of sodium carbonate (< ∼ 24 mmol l^-1) to minimise the tailing effect on F^- during ion chromatography caused by the large amount of carbonate species originating from the flux. Fluorine and chlorine contents were then determined by a standard additions method. Based on the relative standard deviation of the backgrounds, detection limits of both fluorine and chlorine were ∼ 4 μg g^-1, when 30 mg test portions were fused and diluted by a factor of 1200. We also report new fluorine and chlorine contents in nine GSJ (Geological Survey of Japan) reference materials, including peridotite (JP-1), granite (JG-1a), basalts (JB-1b, 2 and 3), andesites (JA-1 and 2) and rhyolites (JR-1 and 2). Fluorine and chlorine contents in the reference materials in this study were consistent with previously reported values. Reproducibilities were < 10 % for samples with F and Cl concentrations of > 20 μg g-1 and < 20 % with F and Cl < 20 μg g^-1.     

Determination of Fluorine and Chlorine by Pyrohydrolysis and Ion Chromatography: Comparison with Alkaline Fusion Digestion and Ion Chromatography

A method to determine F and Cl in silicate materials by employing pyrohydrolysis and ion chromatography (IC) is described. Pyrohydrolysis involved mixing a pulverised sample (∼ 40 mg) with V₂O₅ (∼ 160 mg) and heating to 1100 °C under a wet oxygen flow in a quartz tube. Recovery yields of F and Cl were ∼ 97% using a NaF + NaCl standard solution. Detection limits of the pyrohydrolysis-IC method for silicate samples were 0.36 and 0.69 μg g^-1 for F and Cl, respectively. Fluorine and Cl concentrations were determined in the reference materials JB-2, JB-3 and JA-1 from the GSJ; BCR-2, BHVO-1, BHVO-2, AGV-1 and AGV-2 from the USGS; and NIST SRM 610, 612 and 614 glasses. Precisions (RSD) for determinations of F were 1–13% (except NIST SRM 614) and 2–19% for Cl, and were dependent on the concentration and blank correction. Most results obtained in this study were in good agreement with those of previous studies. In comparison, the Na₂CO₃ + ZnO fusion method at 900 °C showed that the yields of F and Cl by alkaline fusion systematically decreased with fusion duration time. The yields were 84% and 83% for JB-3, inferring that F and Cl were lost in this alkaline fusion.     

Suppression of Matrix Effects in ICP-MS by High Power Operation of ICP: Application to Precise Determination of Rb, Sr, Y, Cs, Ba, REE, Pb, Th and U at ng g-1 Levels in Milligram Silicate Samples

We found that the suppression of signals for ⁸⁸Sr, ¹⁴⁰Ce and ²³⁸U in rock solution caused by rock matrix in ICP-MS (matrix effects) was reduced at high power operation (1.7 kW) of the ICP. To make the signal suppression by the matrix negligible, minimum dilution factors (DF) of the rock solution for Sr, Ce and U were 600, 400 and 113 at 1.1, 1.4 and 1.7 kW, respectively. Based on these findings, a rapid and precise determination method for Rb, Sr, Y, Cs, Ba, REE, Pb, Th and U using FI (flow injection)-ICP-MS was developed. The amount of the sample solution required for FI-ICP-MS was 0.2 ml, so that 1.8 mg sample was sufficient for analysis with a detection limit of several ng g^-1. Using this method, we determined the trace element concentrations in the USGS rock reference materials, DTS-1, PCC-1, BCR-1 and AGV-1, and the GSJ rock reference materials, JP-1, JB-1, -2, -3, JA-1, -2 and -3. The reproducibilities (RSD %) in replicate analyses (n=5) of BCR-1, AGV-1, JB-1, -2, -3, JA-1, -2, and -3 were < 6 %, and typically 2.5%. The difference between the average concentrations of this study for BCR-1 and those of the reference values were < 2%. Therefore, it was concluded that the method can give reliable data for trace elements in silicate rocks.     

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Nine New Reference Materials from the Geological Survey of Japan

Nine reference materials, recently distributed by the Geological Survey of Japan (JA-1, JB-la, JB-2, JB-3, JG-la, JGb-1, JP-1, JR-1 and JR-2) have been analysed by instrumental neutron activation analysis using well proven experimental techniques. Results for the twenty elements determined (selected rare earth elements, Fe, Ba, Co, Cr, Cs, Hf, Rb, Sc, Ta, Th and U) are assessed for accuracy and precision and show good agreement with previously published data.     

Determination of REE, Y, Nb, Zr, Hf, Ta, Th and U in Geological Reference Materials LSHC-1 and Amf-1 by Solution and Laser Ablation ICP-MS

This paper presents data on REE and Y, Nb, Zr, Hf, Ta, Th and U abundances for two candidate reference materials (RMs), spinel lherzolite LSHC-1 and amphibole Amf-1, being currently developed at the Institute of Geochemistry SB RAS, Irkutsk. To determine the contents of these elements inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was applied with: (i) solution nebulisation (solution ICP-MS) and (ii) laser ablation (LA-ICP-MS) of fused glass disks. The precision of results obtained by both techniques was better than 6% RSD for most elements. Accuracy was assessed by using the geochemical RMs JB-2, JGb-1 (GSJ) and MAG-1 (USGS). The trace element results by solution ICP-MS for JGb-1 and JB-2 agree with reference values presented by Imai et al. (1995, this Journal) within 1–10%. Significant differences were found for Nb and Ta determinations. The accuracy of LA-ICP-MS results evaluated by RM MAG-1 was within 4%, except for Eu (about 10%). The analytical results obtained for LSHC-1 and Amf-1 by solution ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS were in good agreement with each other and with INAA and XRF data presented for the certification of these RMs. They can be considered as the indicative values for assigning certified values to the above-mentioned RMs.     

Low-Level Analysis of Lanthanides in Eleven Silicate Rock Reference Materials by ICP-MS After Group Separation Using Cation-Exchange Chromotography

A simple method is described for the determination of lanthanides in depleted rocks based on acid dissolution, cation-exchange chromatography and ICP-MS analysis using a low flow, microconcentric nebuliser. The potential of the method is evaluated by analysis in triplicate of eleven low-concentration level geochemical reference materials (UB-N, NIM-D, BIR-1, DNC-1, JB-2, JGb-1, JGb-2, NIM-N, NIM-P, FK-N and MA-N). The repeatability of the three dissolutions is between 0.2% and 0.6% relative standard deviation (RSD) for basaltic samples BIR-1 and JB-2, with the exception of La in BIR-1 (2.6% RSD), presumably because of blank or memory effects. The results are more scattered for coarsegrained rocks. A good agreement between the results and working values is observed for most mafic samples and the serpentinite UB-N. Significant deviations observed between the data obtained in this work and working values for some reference materials might reflect heterogeneities of the REE distributions in coarse-grained (especially granitic) rocks at the 10 0 mg sub-sampling scale.     

Elemental Concentrations in Japanese Silicate Rock Standards JA-1, JR-1 and JB-2

Data on three Japanese geochemical reference samples (JR-1, JA-1, and JB-2) are presented. Ten major and thirty-five trace element concentrations were determined using x-ray fluorescence, instrumental thermal neutron activation, thermal neutron capture prompt gamma-ray spectrometry, delayed neutron assay, automated thermal neutron activation analysis, inductively coupled plasma emission, atomic absorption, and ion selective electrode. Good agreement between the various methods and with recent literature values were obtained using error weighted mean concentrations for the samples.     

Trace Element Analysis of Fused Whole-Rock Glasses by Laser Ablation-ICP-MS and PIXE

The concentrations of fifty trace elements, including relatively volatile elements and transition metal elements, in fused glasses of Geological Survey of Japan rock reference materials GSJ JR-2, JA-1, JA-2, JB-1a, JB-3, JGb-1 and JF-1 were determined by particle (proton) induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The fused glasses were prepared by rapid fusion and subsequent quenching in welded platinum capsules and were found to be homogeneous for major elements and for trace elements with concentrations of more than 1 μg g^-1 within the observed precision (± 10% mean) on a 70 μm sampling scale. The values obtained by PIXE and LA-ICP-MS for the transition elements (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni and Cu), the relatively volatile elements (Zn, Ga, Rb and Pb) and the refractory elements (Y, Zr, Nb and Th) with concentrations greater than a few μg g^-1 showed good agreement (within 10 % relative difference). The values for almost all the elements detected at concentrations higher than 1 μg g^-1 as determined by LA-ICP-MS also agreed well with the reference values (mean relative difference < ± 10%), except for B and Cu. The good agreement confirmed the appropriateness of the NIST SRM 600 series glass calibration reference material for LA-ICP-MS analysis of glasses with variable major-element compositions for almost all elements. The concentrations of Cu in all the samples were lower than the reference values, which was attributed to adsorption of the transition metals onto the platinum capsule during preparation.     

Precise/ Small Sample Size Determinations of Lithium Isotopic Compositions of Geological Reference Materials and Modern Seawater by MC-ICP-MS

The Li isotope ratios of four international rock reference materials, USGS BHVO-2, GSJ JB-2, JG-2, JA-1 and modern seawater (Mediterranean, Pacific and North Atlantic) were determined using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). These reference materials of natural samples were chosen to span a considerable range in Li isotope ratios and cover several different matrices in order to provide a useful benchmark for future studies. Our new analytical technique achieves significantly higher precision and reproducibility (< ± O.3%o 2s) than previous methods, with the additional advantage of requiring very low sample masses of ca . 2 ng of Li.     

Determination of Zirconium, Niobium, Hafnium and Tantalum at ng g-1 Levels in Geological Materials by Direct Nebulisation of Sample HF Solution into FI-ICP-MS

We have developed a rapid and accurate method to determine Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta (denoted as HFSE) in geological samples by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry fitted with a flow injection system (FI-ICP-MS). The method involves sample decomposition by HF followed by HF dissolution of HFSE coprecipitated with insoluble M and Ca fluoride residues formed during the initial HF attack. This HF solution was directly nebulized into an ICP mass spectrometer. An external calibration curve method and an isotope dilution method (ID) were applied for the determination of Nb and Ta, and of Zr and Hf, respectively. Recovery yields of HFSE were > 96% for peridotite, basalt and andesite compositions, apart from Zr and Hf for peridotite (> 85%). No matrix effects for either signal intensities of HFSE or isotope ratios of Zr and Hf were observed in basalt, andesite and peridotite solutions down to a dilution factor of 100. Detection limits in silicate rocks were 40, 2, 1 and 0.1 ng g-1 for Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta, respectively. This technique required only 0.1 ml of sample solution, and thus is suitable for analysing small and/or precious samples such as meteorites, mantle peridotites and their mineral separates. We also present newly determined data for the Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta concentrations in USGS silicate reference materials DTS-1, PCC-1, BCR-1, BHVO-1 and AGV-1, GSJ reference materials JB-1, -2, -3, JA-1, -2 and -3, and the Smithsonian reference Allende powder.     

高磷铁矿石成分分析标准物质研制

高磷铁矿石的分析测试过程需要基体组分相似、含量适中、定值组分全的标准物质进行质量监控,目前我国没有高磷铁矿石标准物质,现有铁矿石标准物质因基体组分不尽相同,磷元素含量大部分低于0.25%,而高磷铁矿石中磷含量均高于0.25%,这些标准物质难以满足高磷铁矿石产品的分析测试质量监控要求。基于此,本文研制了3个高磷铁矿石成分分析标准物质,样品分别采集于鄂西地区湖北宜昌秭归县野狼坪矿区、湖北恩施长岭矿区(武钢矿区)、湖北宜昌长阳县火烧坪矿区(宝钢长阳矿区),磷和铁含量均呈一定梯度,基本覆盖高磷铁矿的含量范围。均匀性和稳定性对SiO_2、Al_2O_3、TiO_2、P、K_2O、Na_2O、Fe、MnO、CaO、MgO、FeO、LOI、S、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr、Ni、Co、Cd、Sr、Ba、V、As、Hg共25个组分进行检验,均匀性检验采用方差分析F检验法和测试结果的相对标准偏差进行评价,稳定性检验采用直线拟合,t检验法进行评估。经检验,样品均匀性、稳定性良好;定值采用11家实验室协作,采用2种以上不同原理的方法进行测试,定值组分包括主量元素、微量元素共25项,其中24项提供认定值及不确定度,Hg提供参考值。磷的含量分别为0.285%、不确定度0.010%,0.735%、不确定度0.020%,1.73%、不确定度0.05%,总铁含量分别为35.18%、不确定度0.20%,41.46%、不确定度0.20%,51.44%、不确定度0.13%。本次研制的高磷铁矿石标准物质可用于高磷铁矿的勘查、评价和综合利用开发中对标准物质的需求。     

rare Earth Elements in Six New GSJ Standard Rock Samples as Determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Analytical data of rare earth elements (REEs) are presented for six new standard rock samples (JB-2, JB-3, JR-1, JR-2, JA-1, and JGb-1) issued by the Geological Survey of Japan. These data have been simultaneously determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.     

A Simple Method for Precise Determination of 23 Trace Elements in Granitic Rocks by ICP-MS after Lithium Tetraborate Fusion

Abstract. An improved alkali fusion method followed by HF-HNO₃-HC1O₄ treatment is performed for simultaneous determination of 23 trace elements (Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Hf, Ta, Th, U, and REE) by ICP-MS in rock reference materials: basaltic rocks (JB-2, JB-3) and granitic rocks (JG-la, JG-2, JG-3). Our improved method offers several advantages including: (1) suppression of whitish precipitates probably composed of insoluble fluorides by addition of HCIO4, (2) simple and reliable preparation procedure, (3) instrument calibration which enables straightforward simultaneous multi-elemental analysis, and (4) the very low background levels by using pure lithium tetraborate flux. We obtained the analytical results with a reproducibility of mostly <2 % (1) for the basaltic rocks and <7 % for the granitic rocks. The higher relative standard deviation (RSD) values for granitic rocks may be attributed to sample heterogeneity of coarse-grained granitic rocks. The analytical results of the granitic rocks demonstrate that Zr and Hf abundances are consistent with the compiled values and that REE concentrations agree well with recently published data, suggesting that the Li₂B₄O₇ fusion method applied in the present study is suitable for the analysis of the granitic rocks.     

铌钽精矿标准物质研制

铌钽精矿标准物质在监控选冶样品分析的过程起到重要作用,在选厂及冶金系统有很大的需求,国内外的文献检索均未发现铌钽精矿标准物质的报道;而铌钽矿物的性质决定了铌钽精矿的粉碎粒度及均匀性对铌钽精矿标准物质的研制提出了更高的要求。本文阐述了4个铌钽精矿标准物质的研制过程,铌钽精矿采集于宜春及尼日利亚铌钽选厂,样品经气流粉碎和高铝球磨两次细碎及机械混匀后,随机抽取包装好的样品进行均匀性和稳定性检验及定值。采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法与质谱法(ICP-OES/MS)进行均匀性和稳定性检验,结果表明样品的均匀性和稳定性良好。采用多个实验室协同测试的定值方式,利用不同原理的分析方法对此样品的铌钽等12个元素进行定值,给出了各定值元素的认定值和不确定度。4个铌钽精矿标准物质Ta(Nb)_2O_5的含量为9. 89%、20. 55%、40. 79%、53. 69%,形成一个从粗精矿到精矿较为完整的含量体系,可以满足选冶试验各阶段流程样品分析对标准物质的需求。     

Boron and Oxygen Isotope Composition of Certified Reference Materials NIST SRM 610/612 and Reference Materials JB-2 and JR-2

We present data on the concentration, the isotope composition and the homogeneity of boron in NIST silicate glass reference materials SRM 610 and SRM 612, and in powders and glasses of geological reference materials JB-2 (basalt) and JR-2 (rhyolite). Our data are intended to serve as references for both microanalytical and wet-chemical techniques. The δ¹¹ B compositions determined by N-TIMS and P-TIMS agree within 0.5% and compare with SIMS data within 2.5%. SIMS profiles demonstrate boron isotope homogeneity to better than δ¹¹ B = 2% for both NIST glasses, however a slight boron depletion was detected towards the outermost 200 μm of the rim of each sample wafer. The boron isotope compositions of SRM 610 and SRM 612 were indistinguishable. Glasses produced in this study by fusing JB-2 and JR-2 powder also showed good boron isotope homogeneity, both within and between different glass fragments. Their major element abundance as well as boron isotope compositions and concentrations were identical to those of the starting composition. Hence, reference materials (glasses) for the in situ measurement of boron isotopes can be produced from already well-studied volcanic samples without significant isotope fractionation. Oxygen isotope ratios, both within and between wafers, of NIST reference glasses SRM 610 and SRM 612 are uniform. In contrast to boron, significant differences in oxygen isotope compositions were found between the two glasses, which may be due to the different amounts of trace element oxides added at ten-fold different concentration levels to the silicate matrix.     

中国的大洋多金属结核及沉积物标准物质系列

1986～1996年间我国研制了两批共６个海洋地质标准物质：3个多金属结核标准物质GSPN-1～3和3个深海沉积物标准物质GSMS-1～3,形成了两个标准物质系列。与美国、俄罗斯、印度和日本的同类标准物质相比,这些标准物质的主要特点是：①实用性强：这些样品主要取自世界上锰结核最富集、也是各国“先驱投资者”开辟区最集中的太平洋CC区;②系列性好：这些样品还可与美、俄的标准物质构成既具有较大的元素浓度范围又具有适当浓度梯度的标准系列;③被测定组分多（达79个）,定值组分达63个。其中包括58个组分的保证值和5个组分的参考值,全组分的加和均在99.5％～100.1％之间;④参加合作的国家数和实验室多:有18个国外实验室和包括台湾大学在内的14个国内实验室参加了合作分析。这就使这些标准物质具有较大的国际影响。