Report (1973–1984) on Two ANRT Geochemical Reference Samples: Granite GS-N and Potash Feldspar FK-N

Granite GS-N and Potash Feldspar FK-N are two ANRT reference samples prepared in 1973 in 960 and 567 kg, respectively. All data reported since 1973 are compiled in this report. GS-N and FK-N are now well characterized for major and minor elements. As for trace elements, working values have been assigned for 36 elements in GS-N and for 30 elements in FK-N. We need much more data on trace elements for characterizing them better. As GS-N and FK-N are still available in large quantities and are certain to remain so for two or three decades to come, a plea is made for contribution of more data on trace elements.     

Compilation Report (1966–1987) on Trace Elements in five CRPG Geochemical Reference Samples: Basalt BR; Granites, GA and GH; Micas, Biotite Mica-Fe and Phlogopite Mica-Mg

The five CRPG geochemical reference samples (BR, GA, GH, Mica-Fe and Mica-Mg) have been distributed as reference samples for more than twenty years. All data on trace elements in these samples available to the authors since their first reports have been compiled and evaluated. It has been possible to assign working values for more than forty elements in BR, GA, GH and Mica-Fe and for twenty-three elements in Mica-Mg. The samples are expected to last for another twenty years.     

Report (1967–1981) on Four ANRT Rock Reference Samples: Diorite DR-N, Serpentine UB-N, Bauxite BX-N and Disthene DT-N

All data reported by 200 analysts (106 laboratories) are presented for the four ANRT samples: Diorite DR-N, Serpentine UB-N, Bauxite BX-N and Disthène DT-N. Recommended values are given for the major and minor elements. As far as the as trace elements are concerned, DR-N has been characterized for 35 elements whereas the other three samples have been for only 20 elements. Wherever possible, brief comments have been inserted so as to explain our way of assigning recommended or proposed values.
After more than a decade of existence the total number of data reported for all the four samples reach only 3200 units which are not sufficient enough for a valid evaluation of compiled data. It is also pointed out that these samples are most likely to be available even during the next century as they have been prepared in large quantities of the order of one ton. A plea is therefore made for contribution of more data particularly for trace elements and for major elements which are present as trace elements in UB-N, BX-N and DT-N.     

1988 COMPILATION REPORT ON TRACE ELEMENTS IN SIX ANRT ROCK REFERENCE SAMPLES: DIORITE DR-N, SERPENTINE UB-N, BAUXITE BX-N, DISTHENE DT-N, GRANITE GS-N AND POTASH FELDSPAR FK-N

The six ANRT rock reference samples (DR-N, UB-N, BX-N, DT-N, GS-N, FK-N) have been distributed as reference samples for nearly twenty years. All available data on trace elements in these samples are presented and evaluated. It has been possible to assign working values for nearly 40 trace elements. These samples prepared in 600 to 1300 kg quantities are expected to last for some decades to come.     

Report (1984) on Two GIT-IWG Geochemical Reference Samples: Albite from Italy, AL-I And Iron Formation Sample from Greenland, IF-G

Two reference samples, Albite AL-I and Iron Formation sample IF-G were analysed for their chemical composition by the International Working Group "Analytical Standards of Minerals, Ores and Rocks" (GIT-IWG). AL-I was processed in 189 kg and IF-G and 760 kg. 103 GIT-IWG laboratories participated in this collaborative study along with 171 geoanalysts. This study lasted 15 months (September 1982 - December 1983) and is the second undertaken by the GIT-IWG. Over 2400 units of data were collated. As a result of this international study, the major and minor elements have been well characterized in both the samples; however, more data on trace elements will be very welcome for a better definition of trace elements, although working values have been proposed for about forty trace elements in each sample. The first and the second collaborative studies undertaken by GIT-IWG demonstrate well the immense analytical potential of the GIT-IWG.     

GEOCHEMICAL STANDARD REFERENCE SAMPLES GSD 9–12, GSS 1–8 AND GSR 1–6

The 18 Chinese geochemical standard reference samples GSD 9-12 (stream sediments), GSS 1-8 (soils) and GSR 1-6 (rocks) were prepared after GSD 1-8 (stream sediments) for even wider and increasing needs of geology, exploration geochemistry and geochemical analysis. Usable values of 41 trace, minor and major elements of the 18 samples were published in 1984. In the following two years, efforts were concentrated on the determination of other elements, most of which are more difficult to determine accurately and hence not many data were available in the literature. At the same time, additional data on the 41 elements already evaluated were also submitted. In all, 155 234 results were available along with the 35 284 analytical data submitted. The processing of samples, the examination of sample homogeneity, the plan of collaborative analysis of the samples, and the criteria for defining the recommended values are described. The recommended or reference values of the 72 constituents, to-gether with the 35 284 analytical data of the 18 samples are published in this paper.     

Variability in the inorganic element content of U.S. coals including results of cluster analysis

Patterns of variability in trace element and major inorganic element content of 335 U.S. coal samples were investigated using the multivariate statistical techniques of principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Whole-coal basis values contain different information from ash basis values; therefore data expressed on each basis were treated separately. For each basis, major elements grouped together according to their occurrence in dominant inorganic groups in coal (aluminosilicates, sulfides, and elements organically bound or in carbonates), and relationships of trace elements to these groups were shown. Cluster analysis grouped samples based on their inorganic content. For data expressed on an ash basis, either three or four clusters were indicated. The three-cluster partition was similar to a partition into Eastern, Interior, and other (western) provinces. The partition into four clusters was more complex; is showed that samples from the Eastern and Interior provinces taken as a group can be divided into three clusters. One, characterized by low aluminosilicate and sulfur levels, contains both Interior and Eastern province samples. Thus not all Interior province samples are characterized by high levels of iron sulfide and associated elements; some are more similar to many Eastern province samples than to other Interior province samples.     

PREPARATION, HOMOGENEITY EVALUATION AND COOPERATIVE STUDY OF TWO NEW CHROMITITE REFERENCE SAMPLES CHR-PT+ AND CHR-BKG

Two chromitite samples from the Isles of Shetland (North Scotland) have been processed, each in 200 kg quantities, as reference samples for the determination of gold and the platinum-group elements (PGE). One of these samples, Chromitite CHR-Pt⁺ is enriched in the PGE and the other, Chromitite CHR-Bkg has much lower concentrations. A detailed assessment of sample homogeneity is presented, together with the results of a cooperative study by thirty-five international geochemical laboratories, private and public. Contributed data together with derived working values are presented for Au and the PGE as well as for major, minor and a few trace elements. It is hoped that this first compilation report will encourage additional laboratories to participate in further studies of the PGE in these two CHR samples.     

1994 COMPILATION OF ANALYTICAL DATA FOR MINOR AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN SEVENTEEN GSJ GEOCHEMICAL REFERENCE SAMPLES, "IGNEOUS ROCK SERIES"

Analytical data for minor and trace elements published or communicated to us, on seventeen GSJ (Geological Survey of Japan) reference samples, "Igneous rock series" received up to April 1994 are compiled. The data were evaluated statistically in consideration of analytical methods. Based on the selected available data, 1994 recommended and proposed values for 65 minor and trace elements are presented.     

Report (1980) on Three GIT-IWG Rock Reference Samples: Anorthosite from Greenland, AN-G; Basalte d'Essey-la-Côte, BE-N; Granite de Beauvoir, MA-N

Three rock reference samples, Anorthosite AN-G, Basalt BE-N and Granite MA-N were analysed for their chemical composition by 122 laboratories belonging to the International Working Group "Analytical Standards of Minerals, Ores and Rocks" (IWG). 243 analysts took part in this first collaborative study which lasted only nine months, from June 1979 to March 1980. Despite this very short period, it has been possible to harvest over 6000 units of analytical data on major, minor and 53 trace elements. This excellent performance of the IWG members has rendered possible the chemical characterization of the three samples for not only the usual major and minor elements but also for 30 trace elements. This first study by the IWG Members demonstrates well their immense analytical potential and is exemplary in many respects.     

Three Marine Sediment Reference Samples: SDO-1, SDO-2 and SDO-3

The study of three marine sediments is the first in a series of reference samples to be developed for characterizing the bottom sediments of the Pacific Ocean and the Red Sea. The three samples were certified for their contents of major, minor and some trace elements. These values were assigned on the basis of statistical processing of the data obtained from an interlaboratory experiment conducted with the use of physical, physico-chemical and chemical methods of analysis. The Soviet, Czechoslovakian and Bulgarian laboratories took part in the interlaboratory experiment.     

1986 Values for Fifteen GSJ Rock Reference Samples, "Igneous Rock Series"

During the five-year period (April 1981 - March 1986), a series of fifteen rock reference samples, "Igneous rock series", has been prepared by the Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ). Based on the data available (published and communicated), consensus values for major, minor and trace elements have been derived; these values are presented for this second series of samples as well as for the first series of two samples, Granodiorite JG-1 and Basalt JB-1.     

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Twenty-Nine International Geochemical Reference Samples

Results of measurements of twenty-seven elements, most of them in trace amounts, by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) in twenty-nine international geochemical reference samples from Canada, U.S.A., Japan, France and South Africa, are reported and compared with available literature values. In general, our data agree well with literature values. The disagreement of our results (e.g., Zr in Canadian syenites and several trace elements in USGS ultrabasic rocks) with those reported by other workers is briefly discussed and ways of improving INAA are pointed out. The present report includes data on several trace elements for which existing data are rather scarce.     

TRACE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF BASALT BIR-1 BY ID-SSMS, HPLC AND LIMS

Trace element concentrations in BIR-1 basalt have been determined by isotope dilution-spark source mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography and laser ionization mass spectrometry. Of particular interest are the low abundance elements Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Th, U, Rb, Cs for which published data vary extremely. Our analyses of most trace elements in four different batches of BIR-1, however, agree within 10% indicating that these large differences cannot be caused by heterogeneities of the powders but may be attributed to analytical problems. Based on own and recently published data, an attempt is made to assign "preferred values" for BIR-1 which are at variance with several published consensus or working values by as much as a factor of 110.     

BAM‐S005 Type A and B: New Silicate Reference Glasses for Microanalysis

To test whether the silicate reference glasses BAM‐S005‐A and BAM‐S005‐B from BAM (The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Germany) are suitable materials for microanalysis, we investigated the homogeneity of these reference glasses using the microanalytical techniques EPMA, LA‐ICP‐MS and SIMS. Our study indicated that all major and most trace elements are homogeneously distributed at micrometre sampling scale in both types of glass. However, some trace elements (e.g., Cs, Cl, Cr, Mo and Ni) seem to be inhomogeneously distributed. We also determined the composition of BAM‐S005‐A and BAM‐S005‐B. The EPMA data of major elements confirmed the information values specified by the certificate. With the exception of Sr, Ba, Ce and Pb, our trace element data by LA‐ICP‐MS were also in agreement with the certified values within the stated uncertainty limits. The reasons for the discrepancy in these four elements are still unclear. In addition, we report new data for twenty‐two further trace elements, for which the concentrations were not certified. Based on our investigation, we suggest that both of these materials are suitable for many microanalytical applications.     

1994 REPORT ON WHIN SILL DOLERITE WS-E FROM ENGLAND AND PITSCURRIE MICROGABBRO PM-S FROM SCOTLAND: ASSESSMENT BY ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR INTERNATIONAL LABORATORIES

This compilation report describes the field location, mineralogy, preparation and homogeneity testing of two new GIT-IWG reference materials: Whin Sill dolerite (WS-E) from England and Pitscurrie microgabbro (PM-S) from Scotland. The elemental composition of these two new reference materials has been established by an international cooperative analysis programme involving participation by 104 laboratories. A full assessment of these analytical results is presented, from which working values have been derived for the major elements as well as for 45 trace elements in WS-E and 44 trace elements in PM-S. Furthermore, isotopic ratios are presented for both samples, particularly for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd.     

1987 Compilation Report on Ailsa Craig Granite AC-E With the Participation of 128 GIT-IWG Laboratories

Third in the series of collaborative studies launched by the International Working Group "Analytical Standards of Minerals, Ores and Rocks" (IWG), the study on Ailsa Craig Granite AC-E has attracted the participation of 128 laboratories from 29 countries. Tables of compiled data, 3212 results in all, are presented with working values, recommended or proposed, for seventy major, minor and trace elements. The success of this study which lasted for only one year from the distribution of sample to the release of the present report is to be attributed entirely to the record participation of the IWG-Member laboratories.     

A Compilation of New and Published Major and Trace Element Data for NIST SRM 610 and NIST SRM 612 Glass Reference Materials

Microanalytical trace element techniques (such as ion probe or laser ablation ICP-MS) are hampered by a lack of well characterized, homogeneous standards. Two silicate glass reference materials produced by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NIST SRM 610 and NIST SRM 612, have been shown to be homogeneous and are spiked with up to sixty one trace elements at nominal concentrations of 500 μg g-1 and 50 μg g-1 respectively. These samples (supplied as 3 mm wafers) are equivalent to NIST SRM 611 and NIST SRM 613 respectively (which are supplied as 1 mm wafers) and are becoming more widely used as potential microanalytical reference materials. NIST however, only certifies up to eight elements in these glasses. Here we have compiled concentration data from approximately sixty published works for both glasses, and have produced new analyses from our laboratories. Compilations are presented for the matrix composition of these glasses and for fifty eight trace elements. The trace element data includes all available new and published data, and summaries present the overall average and standard deviation, the range, median, geometric mean and a preferred average (which excludes all data outside ± one standard deviation of the overall average). For the elements which have been certified, there is a good agreement between the compiled averages and the NIST data. This compilation is designed to provide useful new working values for these reference materials.