In Situ Quantitative Measurement of Rare Earth Elements in Uranium Oxides by Laser Ablation‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry

Advances in the quantification of rare earth elements (REE) at the micrometric scale in uranium oxides by laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry are described. The determination of the best analytical conditions was tested using a uranium oxide (Mistamisk) the concentrations of REE in which were previously estimated by other techniques. Comparison between the use of U or Pb as an internal standard clearly showed a diameter‐dependent fractionation effect related to Pb at small crater diameters (16 and 24 μm), which was not found for U. The quantification of REE contents in uranium oxide samples using both matrix‐matched (uranium oxide) and non‐matrix‐matched (NIST SRM 610 certified glass) external calibrators displayed no significant difference, demonstrating a limited matrix effect for REE determination by LA‐ICP‐MS. Moreover, no major interferences on REEs were detected. The proposed methodology (NIST SRM 610 as external calibrator and U as internal standard) was applied to samples from uranium deposits from around the world. The results showed that LA‐ICP‐MS is a suitable analytical technique to determine REE down to the μg g^?1 level in uranium oxides at the micrometre scale and that this technique can provide significant insights into uranium metallogeny.     

Accurate Measurement of Rare Earth Elements by ICP‐MS after Ion‐Exchange Separation: Application to Ultra‐Depleted Samples

This study reports precise and accurate data for rare earth elements (REE) measured on eight geological reference materials, five enriched in REE (BE‐N, BHVO‐2, BR, BR‐24 and RGM‐1) and three very depleted in REE (BIR‐1, UB‐N and DTS‐2). Data were acquired by quadrupole ICP‐MS after isolation of the REE using an ion‐exchange chromatography procedure. All the measured REE abundances were similar within ≈ 5% (10% for the most REE‐depleted sample DTS‐2) to the high‐quality measurements previously published in the literature. We also show that by using an internal Tm spike, the reproducibility of the data was improved to ～ 1%. Applying this technique to the analysis of ultra‐depleted rock samples (sub ng g^?1), we show that significant improvements were obtained relative to the routine trace element measurement method. The chondrite‐normalised patterns were smooth instead of displaying irregularities. Although the classical method gives excellent results on REE‐rich samples, we believe that our technique improves the precision and accuracy of measurements for highly REE‐depleted rocks.     

Hydrofluoric Acid‐Free Digestion of Geological Samples for the Quantification of Rare Earth Elements by Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Optical Emission Spectrometry

Rare earth elements (REEs) are very important to technological development as well as to geochemical and environmental studies. In this work, hydrofluoric acid (HF) was replaced by condensed phosphoric acid (CPA) in the digestion of geological samples, and the quantification of REEs was performed by inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES). Six international reference materials (RMs), named DC86318, CGL 111, CGL 124, CGL 126, OKA‐2 and COQ‐1 and three Brazilian ore samples, named Araxá, Catalão and Pitinga were analysed. Only zircon and xenotime, which are potential REE‐bearing minerals, were not completely dissolved. Nevertheless, no REE associated with zircon was detected. The investigated digestion method presented many advantages: It was relatively fast (3 h), avoided fluoride precipitation, it was less hazardous because handling diluted H₃PO₄ is safer than HF, NH₄F or NH₄HF₂ aqueous solutions, it preserved the quartz fittings of the measurement equipment and the final solution contained lower levels of total dissolved solids than those produced by the fusion method.     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定地质样品中稀土元素

采用酸溶一敞开溶矿技术,等离子体质谱法测定地质样品中的稀土元素。该方法选用高氯酸和硫酸,试验发现,硫酸的溶矿效果明显优于高氯酸,且硫酸的存在有利于消除Ba对稀土元素的质谱影响。用该方法对地质样品三类国家一级标样（GBW07401、GBW07103、GBW07309）：进行验证,准确率达95％～105％,结果令人满意。     

电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定稀土铌钽矿中稀土元素和钍量

用等离子体发射光谱法测定了稀土铌钽矿中的稀土元素和钍量。考察了溶样方式和称样量,选择分析线波长,确定了仪器工作条件。对共存元素的干扰量进行试验,稀土元素之间的干扰可忽略不计。精密度试验表明,各稀土元素及钍的相对标准偏差(RSD,n=11)小于10%(除Eu2O3外)。方法用于实际样品的测定,结果与等离子体质谱法及外检结果吻合。     

Direct Quantitative Determination of Trace Elements in Fine‐Grained Whole Rocks by Laser Ablation‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry

Previous laser ablation‐ICP‐MS bulk analyses have been confined to volcanic glasses and glass disks or powder pellets similar to those used for XRF analysis. This study proposes a method to determine twenty trace elements (fourteen rare earth elements, Sc, Y, Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta) by LA‐ICP‐MS directly from polished thick sections and rock slabs of six fine‐grained crystalline and aphanitic rocks (five volcanic rocks and one pelitic tillite). Laser scanning of eight to ten 20 mm long linear tracks using a spot size of 160 μm, with a total ablated area of 26–32 mm², was performed. Quantification was carried out by (a) internal standardisation using Si and (b) without applying internal standardisation. In the latter method, external determination of one element in conventional LA‐ICP‐MS quantification is no longer needed. Although the fine‐grained rocks studied contained variable amounts of volatiles (up to 4%), this method gave results that agree within 10% relative with those obtained by internal standardisation using Si. Two USGS basalt glass reference materials (BCR‐2G and BHVO‐2G) were used for external calibration. The results and the associated trace element patterns and ratios of elemental pairs obtained from both methods of quantification showed good agreement with the results from solution nebulisation ICP‐MS within 20% (mostly within 10%) relative. Fine‐grained rocks are common and include volcanic, sedimentary and low‐grade metamorphic rocks (e.g., basalt, andesite, rhyolite, shale, mudstone, tillite, loess, pelite and slate) and their trace element contents and associated ratios are important geochemical tracers in studies focusing on the composition and evolution of the crust and mantle. Our method provides a simple and quantitative way to determine trace elements in fine‐grained rocks even with those displaying complex textures.     

Sulfur Concentration in Geochemical Reference Materials by Solution Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry

With implications for the origin of ore deposits, redox state of the atmosphere, and effects of volcanic outgassing, understanding the sulfur cycle is vital to our investigation of Earth processes. However, the paucity of sulfur concentration measurements in silicate rocks and the lack of well‐calibrated reference materials with concentrations relevant to the rocks of interest have hindered such investigations. To aid in this endeavour, this study details a new method to determine sulfur concentration via high mass resolution solution inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The method is based on an aqua regia leach, involving relatively rapid sample preparation and analysis, and uses small test portion masses (< 50 mg). We utilised two independently prepared standard solutions to calibrate the analyses, resulting in 4% accuracy, and applied the method to eight geochemical reference materials. Measurements were reproducible to within ~ 10%. Sulfur concentrations and isotopes of six reference materials were measured additionally by elemental analyser‐combustion‐isotope ratio mass spectrometry to independently evaluate the accuracy of the ICP‐MS method. Reference materials that yielded reproducible measurements identical to published values from other laboratories (JGb‐1, JGb‐2 and MAG‐1) are considered useful materials for the measurement of sulfur. Reference materials that varied between studies but were reproducible for a given test portion perhaps suffer from sample heterogeneity and are not recommended as sulfur reference materials.     

Determination of Platinum‐Group Elements in Geological Samples by Isotope Dilution‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry Combined with Sulfide Fire Assay Preconcentration

A method was developed for the determination of platinum‐group elements (PGE) in geological samples by isotope dilution‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry combined with sulfide fire assay preconcentration. Samples were fused and PGE analytes were concentrated in sulfide buttons. The buttons were dissolved using HCl leaving PGE analytes in insoluble residues, which were digested in HNO₃ and simultaneously processed for the distillation of Os. The remaining solutions were further prepared for the purification of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt using a tandem assembly of cation and Ln resin columns. The eluents were directly analysed by membrane desolvation‐ICP‐MS. Ruthenium, Pd, Os, Ir and Pt were determined by isotope dilution, whereas Rh was determined by conventional reference material calibration combined with ¹⁹³Ir as the internal standard element. The method was validated using a series of PGE reference materials, and the measurement data were consistent with the recommended and the literature values. The measurement precision was better than 10% RSD. The procedural blanks were 0.121 ng for Ru, 0.204 for Rh, 0.960 ng for Pd, 0.111 ng for Os, 0.045 ng for Ir and 0.661 ng for Pt, and the limits of detection (3s) were 0.011 ng g^?1 for Ru, 0.008 ng g^?1 for Rh, 0.045 ng g^?1 for Pd, 0.009 ng g^?1 for Os, 0.006 ng g^?1 for Ir and 0.016 ng g^?1 for Pt when a test portion mass of 10 g was used. This indicates that the proposed method can be used for the determination of trace amounts of PGE in geological samples.     

全自动石墨消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定岩石样品中稀土元素

本文建立了以全自动石墨消解仪消解样品,“加酸-消解-赶酸-定容-摇匀”全程用软件控制,以Rh、Re为内标,电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定岩石中La、Ce、Pr、Nd、Sm、Eu、Gd、Tb、Dy、Ho、Er、Tm、Yb、Lu、Y 15种稀土元素含量的方法。通过对岩石国家一级标准物质GBW07103、GBW07104、GBW07105、GBW07108、GBW07109、GBW07110、GBW07112、GBW07122进行方法酸用量、方法精密度、准确度和检出限的测试研究。结果表明：按照消解程序消解的上述岩石国家标准物质,各元素测定值与标准值一致,相对标准偏差在0.98%～4.41%之间,方法精密度优于常用的电热板消解法,方法精密度、准确度和检出限满足地质矿产实验测试质量管理规范的要求,该方法用酸量较少,自动化程度高,可应用于批量样品的测试。     

Determination of Bromine and Iodine Speciation in Drinking Water Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry

A specific method for the determination of bromine and iodine species in drinking water was developed by using high performance liquid chromatography‐ICP‐MS. An ICS‐A23 ion chromatography column was chosen for the separation of species, with the mobile phase being 0.03 mol l^?1 ammonium carbonate at a flow rate of 0.8 ml min^?1. The detection limits for BrO₃^?, Br^?, IO₃^? and I^? were 0.032, 0.063, 0.008 and 0.012 μg l^?1, respectively. Spectroscopic interferences were only observed in blank samples and mainly resulted from the argon‐potassium polyatomic ion (⁴⁰Ar³⁹K⁺). However, this interference was negligible because of the elution and complete separation from that of iodinate under optimised conditions. The method developed was successfully applied to twenty‐two samples of drinking water obtained from a supermarket. Results indicated that 36.4% of the samples had BrO₃^? concentrations exceeding the Chinese national limit for drinking water of 10 μg l^?1.     

酸溶-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定煤系样品中稀土元素的方法研究

煤和含煤岩系在特定地质条件下可以富集稀土等金属元素。煤及矸石燃烧后产生的飞灰,其金属元素富集度更高,有望成为稀土等关键矿产的替代来源之一。针对煤系样品有机物含量高、基体组成复杂等问题,本文通过溶样方式、消解酸体系、浸提液、质谱干扰及扣除等条件实验研究,利用高压密闭酸溶法和半密闭酸溶法建立了分别适用于煤和煤系样品中稀土元素的电感耦合等离子体质谱（ICP-MS）分析方法。结果表明,硝酸-氢氟酸高压密闭酸溶法能够实现煤中稀土元素的准确测定,但对煤飞灰和煤矸石的稀土元素回收率不稳定,不同样品稀土回收率在37%～123%之间。在原有消解酸体系中,加入硫酸和高氯酸或改用盐酸复溶,均不能有效地提高稀土元素的回收率。五酸半密闭酸溶可以实现煤飞灰、煤矸石等煤系样品中稀土元素的完全分解。利用X射线衍射（XRD）和扫描电子显微镜（SEM）技术对煤系样品中元素的赋存状态进行了初步解析,揭示了高铝矿物是造成煤矸石等煤系样品中稀土元素溶出率低的主要原因,为实验方案的制定和优化提供了理论依据。利用标准物质和实际样品开展了方法验证,所建方法具有良好的精密度（相对标准偏差为0.05%～9.98%）和正确度（相对误差为−10.2%～7.62%）,检出限低,可以实现煤系样品中稀土元素的多元素准确测定,适用于大批量样品中稀土元素的分析测试。     

U‐Th Zircon Dating by Laser Ablation Single Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS)

Zircon crystals in the age range of ca. 10–300 ka can be dated by ²³⁰Th/²³⁸U (U‐Th) disequilibrium methods because of the strong fractionation between Th and U during crystallisation of zircon from melts. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) analysis of nine commonly used reference zircons (at secular equilibrium) and a synthetic zircon indicates that corrections for abundance sensitivity and dizirconium trioxide molecular ions (Zr₂O₃⁺) are critical for reliable determination of ²³⁰Th abundances in zircon. When corrected for abundance sensitivity and interferences, mean activity ratios of (²³⁰Th)/(²³⁸U) for nine reference zircons analysed on five different days averaged 0.995 ± 0.023 (95% confidence weighted by data‐point uncertainty only, MSWD = 1.6; n = 9), consistent with their U‐Pb ages > 4 Ma that imply equilibrium for all intermediate daughter isotopes (including ²³⁰Th) within the ²³⁸U decay chain. U‐Th zircon ages generated by LA‐ICP‐MS without mitigating (e.g., by high mass resolution) or correcting for abundance sensitivity and molecular interferences on ²³⁰Th are potentially unreliable. To validate the applicability of LA‐ICP‐MS to this dating method, we acquired data from three late Quaternary volcanic units: the 41 ka Campanian Ignimbrite (plutonic clasts), the 161 ka Kos Plateau Tuff (juvenile clasts) and the 12 ka Puy de Dôme trachyte lava (all eruption ages by Ar/Ar, with zircon U‐Th ages being of equal or slightly older). A comparison of the corrected LA‐ICP‐MS results with previously published secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) data for these rocks shows comparable ages with equivalent precision for LA‐ICP‐MS and SIMS, but much shorter analysis durations (~ 2 min vs. ~ 15 min) per spot with LA‐ICP‐MS and much simpler sample preparation. Previously undated zircons from the Yali eruption (Kos‐Nisyros volcanic centre, Greece) were analysed using this method. This yielded a large age spread (~ 45 to > 300 ka), suggesting significant antecryst recycling. The youngest zircon age (~ 45 ± 10 ka) provides a reasonable maximum estimate for the eruption age, in agreement with the previously published age using oxygen isotope stratigraphy (~ 31 ka).     

An Investigation of Digestion Methods for Trace Elements in Bauxite and Their Determination in Ten Bauxite Reference Materials Using Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry

Trace elements from samples of bauxite deposits can provide useful information relevant to the exploration of the ore‐forming process. Sample digestion is a fundamental and critical stage in the process of geochemical analysis, which enables the acquisition of accurate trace element data by ICP‐MS. However, the conventional bomb digestion method with HF/HNO₃ results in a significant loss of rare earth elements (REEs) due to the formation of insoluble AlF₃ precipitates during the digestion of bauxite samples. In this study, the digestion capability of the following methods was investigated: (a) ‘Mg‐addition’ bomb digestion, (b) NH₄HF₂ open vessel digestion and (c) NH₄F open vessel digestion. ‘Mg‐addition’ bomb digestion can effectively suppress the formation of AlF₃ and simultaneously ensure the complete decomposition of resistant minerals in bauxite samples. The addition of MgO to the bauxite samples resulted in (Mg + Ca)/Al ratios ≥ 1. However, adding a large amount of MgO leads to significant blank contamination for some transition elements (V, Cr, Ni and Zn). The NH₄HF₂ or NH₄F open vessel digestion methods can also completely digest resistant minerals in bauxite samples in a short period of time (5 hr). Unlike conventional bomb digestion with HF/HNO₃, the white precipitates and the semi‐transparent gels present in the NH₄HF₂ and NH₄F digestion methods could be efficiently dissolved by evaporation with HClO₄. Based on these three optimised digestion methods, thirty‐seven trace elements including REEs in ten bauxite reference materials (RMs) were determined by ICP‐MS. The data obtained showed excellent inter‐method reproducibility (agreement within 5% for REEs). The relative standard deviation (% RSD) for most elements was < 6%. The concentrations of trace elements in the ten bauxite RMs showed agreement with the limited certified (Li, V, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ga, Sr, Zr and Pb) and information values (Co, Ba, Ce and Hf) available. New trace element data for the ten RMs are provided, some of which for the first time.     

硼酸溶液敞口酸溶-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定萤石中稀土元素

萤石中稀土元素的研究对揭示成矿物质来源、成矿流体的性质和矿床成因均具有十分重要的意义。传统的过氧化钠碱熔-电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)分析方法可以解决萤石中稀土元素的测定问题,但过氧化钠提纯难度高,过程繁杂,不宜大量样品的处理,且待测溶液总盐度大易产生基体干扰等;常规的酸溶法因使用的试剂一般为硝酸和氢氟酸,这些酸均不与萤石的主要成分氟化钙发生反应而很少应用。本文基于氟化钙能溶于硫酸和硼酸,采用硼酸溶液(10%硫酸和25%盐酸介质)和氢氟酸处理样品,硝酸提取,引入103Rh和185Re双内标,建立了硼酸溶液敞口酸溶ICP-MS测定萤石中稀土元素的分析方法。相比于传统的过氧化钠碱熔方法,本方法采用的试剂纯度高,可以有效地降低空白,方法检出限为0.002~0.016μg/g,低于过氧化钠碱熔方法的检出限(0.006~0.058μg/g),回收率在94.0%~107.6%之间,方法精密度(RSD)为0.7%~2.7%。本方法配制的硼酸溶液能够有效地与萤石反应,可充分分解萤石样品,简化了样品处理流程,有效地控制了稀土元素的损失,数据可靠性高,适用于大量萤石样品的稀土元素分析。     

高分辨电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定地球化学样品中钪钇和稀土元素

建立了高分辨电感耦合等离子体质谱法(HR-ICP-MS)测定地球化学样品中钪、钇、镧、铈、镨、钕、钐、铕、钆、铽、镝、钬、铒、铥、镱和镥的分析方法。样品经氢氟酸-硝酸-硫酸-王水消解,试液直接用HR-ICP-MS测定钪、钇和14种稀土元素。用高分辨模式有效地避免了多原子离子及难熔氧化物离子对待测元素测定的干扰,为钪、钇和14种稀土元素选择了最佳的测定同位素和合适的分辨率;用地球化学标准物质制备的溶液优化仪器工作参数,确定了最佳的仪器测定条件。方法检出限(6σ)为0.003～0.013μg/g(稀释因子为1000),相对标准偏差(RSD,n=12)小于6%。方法经国家一级地球化学标准物质验证,测定值与标准值吻合。     

Natural Obsidian Glass as an External Accuracy Reference Material in Laser Ablation‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry

Compared with solution ICP‐MS, LA‐ICP‐MS studies have thus far reported comparatively few external reference data for accuracy estimates of experiments. This is largely the result of a paucity of available reference materials of natural composition. Here, we report an evaluation of natural glass (obsidian) as an inexpensive and widely available external reference material. The homogeneity of over forty elements in six different obsidian samples was assessed by LA‐ICP‐MS. Accuracy was tested with two obsidian samples that were fully characterised by electron probe microanalysis and solution ICP‐MS. Laser ablation experiments were performed with a variety of ablation parameters (fluence, spot sizes, ablation repetition rates) and calibration approaches (natural vs. synthetic reference materials, and different internal standard elements) to determine the best practice for obsidian analysis. Furthermore, the samples were analysed using two different laser wavelengths (193 nm and 213 nm) to compare the effect of potential ablation‐related phenomena (e.g., fractionation). Our data indicate that ablation with fluences larger than 6 J cm^?2 and repetition rates of 5 or 10 Hz resulted in the most accurate results. Furthermore, synthetic NIST SRM 611 and 612 glasses worked better as reference materials compared with lower SiO₂ content reference materials (e.g., BHVO‐2G or GOR128‐G). The very similar SiO₂ content of the NIST SRM glasses and obsidian (i.e., matrix and compositional match) seems to be the first‐order control on the ablation behaviour and, hence, the accuracy of the data. The use of different internal standard elements for the quantification of the obsidian data showed that Si and Na yielded accurate results for most elements. Nevertheless, for the analysis of samples with high SiO₂ concentrations, it is recommended to use Si as the internal standard because it can be more precisely determined by electron probe microanalysis. At the scale of typical LA analyses, the six obsidian samples proved to be surprisingly homogenous. Analyses with a spot size of 80 μm resulted in relative standard deviations (% RSD) better than 8% for all but the most depleted elements (e.g., Sc, V, Ni, Cr, Cu, Cd) in these evolved glasses. The combined characteristics render obsidian a suitable, inexpensive and widely available, external quality‐control material in LA‐ICP‐MS analysis for many applications. Moreover, obsidian glass is suited for tuning purposes, and well‐characterised obsidian could even be used as a matrix‐matched reference material for a considerable number of elements in studies of samples with high SiO₂ contents.     

高压密闭消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定和田玉中15种稀土元素

和田玉的稀土元素丰富,准确测定稀土元素含量对于揭示和田玉成矿物质来源、成矿流体的性质和矿床成因具有重要的意义。本文通过比较硝酸-氢氟酸、四硼酸锂-偏硼酸锂碱熔两种前处理方法,确定了使用硝酸-氢氟酸溶样,再采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ICP-MS）测定和田玉中钇镧铈镨钕钐铕钆铽镝钬铒铥镱镥15种稀土元素的含量。为降低基体效应,以¹⁰³Rh和⁴⁹In作内标补偿基体效应和校正灵敏度漂移,样品检出限为0.0008~0.0091μg/L,回收率为101.0%~120.0%,精密度（RSD）为0.55%~1.83%（n=11）。本方法的用酸量少,空白值低,应用于不同地区和田玉的分析,其稀土元素的配分模式特征为右倾型轻稀土富集,初步探讨的稀土元素丰度特征可为研究主产区宝玉石的矿床成因提供依据。     

混合酸分解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定磷矿石中15种稀土元素

磷矿石中伴生的大量稀土,是继离子型稀土矿后重要的稀土后备资源。对磷矿石稀土元素分析测定方法的研究具有重要意义。本实验采用盐酸-硝酸-氢氟酸-硫酸体系消解、王水提取,建立了应用电感耦合等离子质谱法(ICP-MS)测定磷矿石中15种稀土元素的分析方法。经优化实验选取了合适的称样量以保证分析结果的准确可靠。选择合适的分析同位素及采用干扰校正方程以消除质谱干扰,利用103Rh为内标元素,有效抑制了分析信号的动态漂移,用于测定磷矿石国家标准物质中的15种稀土元素,方法的检出限为0.001~0.021μg/g,精密度均小于6.0%(n=12),加标回收率在95.7%~108.0%。适合推广运用于大批量磷矿石中稀土分量的快速分析     

Determination of Trace Element Mass Fractions in Ultramafic Rocks by HR‐ICP‐MS: A Combined Approach Using a Direct Digestion/Dilution Method and Preconcentration by Coprecipitation

A procedure is described for the determination of thirty‐seven minor and trace elements (LILE, REE, HFSE, U, Th, Pb, transition elements and Ga) in ultramafic rocks. After Tm addition and acid sample digestion, compositions were determined both following a direct digestion/dilution method (without element separation) and after a preconcentration procedure using a double coprecipitation process. Four ultramafic reference materials were investigated to test and validate our procedure (UB‐N, MGL‐GAS [GeoPT12], JP‐1 and DTS‐2B). Results obtained following the preconcentration procedure are in good agreement with previously published work on REE, HFSE, U, Th, Pb and some of the transition elements (Sc, Ti, V). This procedure has two major advantages: (a) it avoids any matrix effect resulting from the high Mg content of peridotite, and (b) it allows the preconcentration of a larger trace element set than with previous methods. Other elements (LILE, other transition elements Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, as well as Ga) were not fully coprecipitated with the preconcentration method and could only be accurately determined through the direct digestion/dilution method.