Determination of Elemental Composition of NBS 278 and NBS 688 Via Neutron Activation and X-Ray Fluorescence

Data on NBS Standard Reference Materials 278 (Obsidian) and 688 (Basalt) are presented. Ten major elements, 24 trace elements, iron oxides, and water content were determined using X-ray fluorescence, instrumental thermal neutron activation analysis, delayed neutron assay, spectrophotometry, and coulometry. Good agreement between X-ray fluorescence and neutron activation, and with NBS certified values or recent literature consensus values was obtained.     

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.     

1988 Compilation of Elemental Concentration Data for USGS Basalt BCR-1

Concentration data on up to 82 individual constituents in USGS Basalt BCR-1 have been collected from 1395 journal articles and technical reports. These data are summarized in consensus (mean) values with uncertainties expressed as ± one standard deviation. Mean values are also calculated as a function of analytical procedure and all raw data are given in the tables. Recommended values are proposed based upon data criteria used by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology, formerly the National Bureau of Standards or NBS).     

ELEMENTAL CONCENTRATIONS IN TWENTY NIST STANDARDS OF GEOCHEMICAL INTEREST

Data are presented for twenty standard reference materials currently available from the USA's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that are of use in geochemical analyses. Some of these standards have not been previously presented in the geochemical literature and many elements'concentrations are reported here for the first time. Instrumental neutron activation analysis, X-ray fluorescence, colorimetry, and coulometry were employed to obtain results on ten major and thirty-eight trace element concentrations as well as H2O+ and H2O-. Error bars for the analyses as well as consensus values from the literature are presented and generally good agreement are obtained for the available values.     

MAJOR AND TRACE ELEMENT DETERMINATIONS ON NIST GLASS STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIALS 611, 612, 614 AND 1834 BY INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA-MASS SPECTROMETRY

We report on the major and trace element composition and homogeneity of NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) glass standard reference materials 611, 612, 614, and 1834 for use as microanalytical trace element standards in laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The four analyzed NIST glasses were not designed as microanalytical standards, but their availability and careful preparation made them obvious candidates. Our data indicate that NIST 1834 is inhomogeneous on a scale of 100 mg with respect to several trace elements. Within analytical uncertainty, NIST 611, 612, and 614 are apparently homogeneous.     

DETERMINATION OF THIRTY-TWO MAJOR AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN THREE NIST SOIL SRMS USING ICP-AES AND WDXRF

The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently released three soil standard reference materials that are uncontaminated (SRM 2709), moderately contaminated (SRM 2711), and highly contaminated (SRM 2710) with metals. The SRMs were analyzed at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for thirty two major, minor and trace elements using a combination of wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (WDXRF) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Good agreement is observed between NIST certified values and USGS results. The wide concentration ranges for most transition metals should make these SRMs useful in assessing the accuracy of methods used in geochemical exploration and environmental studies.     

Forty‐Nine Major and Trace Element Concentrations Measured in Soil Reference Materials NIST SRM 2586, 2587, 2709a, 2710a and 2711a Using ICP‐MS and Wavelength Dispersive‐XRF

Excellent agreement was noted in the concentration of major and trace elements in five NIST (National Institute for Science and Technology) soil reference materials (NIST SRM 2586, 2587, 2709a, 2710a and 2711a) between measurement results from wavelength dispersive‐XRF and ICP‐MS from two independent laboratories, and NIST certificate of analysis and literature data. We describe the variability in concentrations of up to forty‐nine elements (plus loss on ignition) and provide values for up to twenty‐one elements previously uncharacterised by NIST in these soil RMs. The additional characterisation provided in this investigation can be utilised to reduce the measurement bias of custom calibration routines and improve the quality of control checks developed using these NIST RMs.     

Determination of Trace Elements in Calcite Using Solution and Laser Ablation ICP-MS: Calibration to NIST SRM Glass and USGS MACS Carbonate, and Application to Real Landfill Calcite

We report new data on the trace element concentrations of Mg, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Pb and U in USGS carbonate reference materials (MACS-1 and MACS-2) and compare solution ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS trace element determinations on landfill calcites using calibration to different reference materials (MACS-1 and MACS-2 carbonate and NIST SRM 612 glass). Very good agreement (differences below 10% relative) was found between laser ablation and solution ICP-MS data for MACS-1 with higher concentrations of trace elements (values between 100 and 150 μg g⁻¹), with the exception of Cu and Zn. Similarly good agreement was found for MACS-2 with lower trace element concentrations (units to tens of μg g⁻¹), with the exception of Cr, Co and Zn. The MACS-1 reference material for calibration of LA-ICP-MS was found to be extremely useful for in situ determination of trace elements in real-world carbonate samples (landfill calcites), especially those present in calcite in higher concentrations (Mn, Sr, Ba; < 5% RSD). Less accurate determinations were generally obtained for trace elements present at low concentrations (∼ units of μg g⁻¹). In addition, good agreement was observed between the instrument calibration to MACS and NIST SRM 612 glass for in situ measurements of trace elements in landfill calcites K-2, K-3 and K-4 (differences below 15% relative for most elements). Thus, the application of MACS carbonate reference materials is promising and points to the need for the development of new carbonate reference materials for laser ablation ICP-MS.     

LA-ICP-MS锆石微区U-Pb定年方法及不同束斑直径对年龄结果的影响作用探讨

利用自然资源部古地磁与古构造重建重点实验室新引进的GeoLas HD型193nm ArF准分子激光剥蚀系统和Agilent 7900型四极杆电感耦合等离子质谱仪,成功建立了LA-ICP-MS锆石微区U-Pb定年及微量元素分析测试方法。以标准锆石91500为外标,在32 μm束斑直径、5.0 J/cm2能量密度和5 Hz剥蚀频率等实验条件下,对Ple?ovice、Temora1和Qinghu锆石标样开展了U-Pb定年实验,所测年龄结果与各标样推荐值在误差范围允许的条件下一致,并且Ple?ovice年龄结果在不同时间段内保持稳定。同时对未知年龄样品11-5开展了不同实验室测年结果对比研究,所测结果与中国地质大学(武汉)地质过程与矿产资源国家重点实验室所测年龄在误差允许范围内一致。以NIST SRM 610为外标,29Si为内标,分析测试了锆石91500和NIST SRM 612标准样品的微量元素含量,实验测试结果与推荐值一致。在此基础上探索总结了不同剥蚀斑束直径对U-Pb年龄结果的影响,认为在同样的能量密度和剥蚀频率条件下,16~44 μm的剥蚀直径可以获取可靠的锆石U-Pb年龄,但32~44 μm相比16~24 μm小斑束直径所测得的年龄更加精准。      

Comparison of Rare-Earth Element Data Obtained by Neutron Activation Analysis Using International Rock and Multielement Solution Standards

The authors have used a high-purity multielement solution, containing known quantities of individual Pare earth elements, as a reference standard in neutron activation analysis of rare earths in several international standard rocks. The data obtained by the authors have been compared with those obtained using the international standard rock Basalt BCR-1 as a reference material. The authors'data compare favourably with those obtained by other workers, particularly for the more basic rock types, and encourages the authors to suggest that a multielement solution standard can be used successfully for neutron activation analysis of rave earth elements. High values obtained for Ce in Basalt BCR-1, however, might indicate that the behaviour of Ce in solution needs further investigation.     

Trace Elements Analysis of Geological Samples by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

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Determination of Forty Two Major and Trace Elements in USGS and NIST SRM Glasses by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

Forty two major (Na, Mg, Ti and Mn) and trace elements covering the mass range from Li to U in three USGS basalt glass reference materials BCR‐2G, BHVO‐2G and BIR‐1G were determined using laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry. Calibration was performed using NIST SRM 610 in conjunction with internal standardisation using Ca. Determinations were also made on NIST SRM 612 and 614 as well as NIST SRM 610 as unknown samples, and included forty five major (Al and Na) and trace elements. Relative standard deviation (RSD) of determinations was below 10% for most elements in all the glasses under investigation. Consistent exceptions were Sn and Sb in BCR‐2G, BHVO‐2G and BIR‐1G. For BCR‐2G, BHVO‐2G and BIR‐1G, clear negative correlations on a logarithmic scale exist between RSD and concentration for elements lower than 1500 μg g^‐1 with logarithmic correlation coefficients between ‐0.75 and ‐0.86. There is also a clear trend of increasing RSD with decreasing concentration from NIST SRM 610 through SRM 612 to SRM 614. These suggest that the difference in the scatter of apparent element concentrations is not due to chemical heterogeneity but reflects analytical uncertainty. It is concluded that all these glasses are, overall, homogeneous on a scale of 60 μm. Our first results on BHVO‐2G and BIR‐1G showed that they generally agreed with BHVO‐2/BHVO‐1 and BIR‐1 within 10% relative. Exceptions were Nb, Ta and Pb in BHVO‐2G, which were 14‐45% lower than reference values for BHVO‐2 and BHVO‐1. Be, Ni, Zn, Y, Zr, Nb, Sn, Sb, Gd, Tb, Er, Pb and U in BIR‐1G were also exceptions. However, of these elements, Be, Nb, Sn, Sb, Gd, Tb, Pb and U gave results that were consistent within an uncertainty of 2s between our data and BIR‐1 reference values. Results on NIST SRM 612 agreed well with published data, except for Mg and Sn. This was also true for elements with m/z 85 (Rb) in the case of NIST SRM 614. The good agreement between measured and reference values for Na and Mg in BCR‐2G, BHVO‐2G and BIR‐1G, and for Al and Na in NIST SRM 610, 612 and 614 up to concentrations of at least several weight percent (which were possible to analyse due to the dynamic range of 10⁸) indicates the suitability of this technique for major, minor and trace element determinations.     

UMATILLA COLUMBIA RIVER BASALT UMAT-1

A preliminary report is presented on a basalt reference sample, Umatilla Columbia River Basalt, UMAT-1. Prepared in over 100 kg by the Columbia River Basalt Group, UMAT-1 was, initially, tested for its homogeneity by two US laboratories for major, minor and several trace elements; mean values of these two laboratories are presented. More recent data on 50 elements by a French laboratory attest to the excellent homogeneity of the sample. UMAT-1 is now available for further studies.     

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS BY LASER ABLATION ICPMS: INSTRUMENTAL OPERATING CONDITIONS AND CALIBRATION VALUES OF NIST GLASSES

A UV laser ablation microprobe coupled to an ICPMS has been used to determine trace element concentrations in solids with a spatial resolution of 50 microns and detection limits ranging from 2 μg/g for Ni to 50 ng/g for the REE, The, and U. Experiments designed to optimize laser operating conditions show that pulse rates of 4 Hz produce a steady state signal with less inter-element fractionation per unit time than higher pulse rates (10–20 Hz). Comparisons of laser microprobe analyses of garnets and pyroxenes using the NIST 610 and 612 glasses as calibration standards, with proton microprobe, solution ICPMS, INAA and XRF data show no significant matrix effects. Laser microprobe analyses of the NIST 610 and 612 glasses have a precision and accuracy of 2–5%, and error analysis shows that counting statistics and the precision on the internal standard concentration accounts for the analytical uncertainty. The NIST glasses appear to be useful calibration materials for trace element analysis of geological materials by laser microprobe.     

Determination of Multiple Trace Element Compositions in Thin (> 30 μm) Layers of NIST SRM 614 and 616 Using Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

To understand and/or avoid small-scale chemical heterogeneities within geological materials prepared as normal thin sections, in situ multiple trace element determination coupled with the simultaneous microscopic observation of the sample during analysis is preferable. We have examined fifty trace elements in thin (< 30 μm) layers of the NIST SRM 614 and 616 glass reference materials by LA-ICP-MS using different pit diameters and internal standard elements (Ca and Si). Compositional heterogeneities of Tl, Bi, As and Cd were found in NIST SRM 614 and 616 at the spatial resolution of ca. 10 0 μm. Except for these elements, the RSDs of six determinations for most elements were better than 10% in NIST SRM 614 when ablation diameters were < 50 μm. The measured concentrations for most elements in NIST SRM 614 and 616 agree with previous values in the literature at the 95% confidence level with the exception of W and Bi. New LA-ICP-MS data for K, As and Cd are also reported. The results support the view that the latest LA-ICP-MS is a powerful and flexible analytical technique for the determination of multiple ultra-trace element compositions in geological materials prepared as normal thin sections of the type that has been used for polarising optical microscopic observations since the end of the 19th century.     

High Sensitivity Analysis of Trace Element-Poor Geological Reference Glasses by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

Fifty-two trace elements in NIST SRM 614, 616 and MPI-DING BM90/21-G glass reference materials as well as in NIST SRM 612, USGS BCR2-G and other MPI-DING reference glasses (KL2-G, GOR132-G, GOR128-G, ATHO-G, Tl-G, StHs6/80-G and ML3B-G) were determined by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Accurate ultra-low trace element abundances in the NIST SRM 614, 616 and BM90/21-G reference glasses down to lower ng g⁻¹ levels were determined with relative standard deviations (RSD) of less than 10%. Limits of detection using He as carrier gas were up to two times lower than with Ar and were 0.004 to 0.12 μg g⁻¹ for elements of lower mass numbers (amu < 85) and 0.002 to 0.06 μg g⁻¹ for elements having amu < 85. The measured concentrations generally agree within 15% with previous studies except for B in NIST SRM 614 and 616, which appears to be heterogeneously distributed, and Co, Zn, Ga and Ag in NIST SRM 616 for which the existing data set is too small to evaluate the discrepancies. New values for As (0.593 μg g⁻¹), Ag (0.361 μg g⁻¹) and Cd (0.566 μg g⁻¹) in NIST SRM 614 and new values for Na (94864 μg g⁻¹) and As (0.276 μg g⁻¹) in NIST SRM 616 are reported.     

Chemical Characterisation of Natural Ilmenite: A Possible New Reference Material

Seven ilmenite (FeTiO₃) megacrysts derived from alnöite pipes (Island of Malaita, Solomon Islands) were characterised for their major and trace element compositions in relation to their potential use as secondary reference materials for in situ microanalysis. Abundances of thirteen trace elements obtained by laser ablation ICP‐MS analyses (using the NIST SRM 610 glass reference material) were compared with those determined by solution‐mode ICP‐MS measurements, and these indicated good agreement for most elements. The accuracy of the LA‐ICP‐MS protocol employed here was also assessed by repeated analysis of MPI‐DING international glass reference materials ML3B‐G and KL2‐G. Several of the Malaitan ilmenite megacrysts exhibited discrepancies between laser ablation and solution‐mode ICP‐MS analyses, primarily attributed to the presence of a titano‐magnetite exsolution phase (at the grain boundaries), which were incorporated solely in the solution‐mode runs. Element abundances obtained by LA‐ICP‐MS for three of the ilmenite megacrysts (CRN63E, CRN63H and CRN63K) investigated here had RSD (2s) values of < 20% and therefore can be considered as working values for reference purposes during routine LA‐ICP‐MS analyses of ilmenite.     

NIST RM 8301 Boron Isotopes in Marine Carbonate (Simulated Coral and Foraminifera Solutions): Inter‐laboratory δ11B and Trace Element Ratio Value Assignment

The boron isotopic ratio of ¹¹B/¹⁰B (δ¹¹B_SRM951) and trace element composition of marine carbonates are key proxies for understanding carbon cycling (pH) and palaeoceanographic change. However, method validation and comparability of results between laboratories requires carbonate reference materials. Here, we report results of an inter‐laboratory comparison study to both assign δ¹¹B_SRM951 and trace element compositions to new synthetic marine carbonate reference materials (RMs), NIST RM 8301 (Coral) and NIST RM 8301 (Foram) and to assess the variance of data among laboratories. Non‐certified reference values and expanded 95% uncertainties for δ¹¹B_SRM951 in NIST RM 8301 (Coral) (+24.17‰ ± 0.18‰) and NIST RM 8301 (Foram) (+14.51‰ ± 0.17‰) solutions were assigned by consensus approach using inter‐laboratory data. Differences reported among laboratories were considerably smaller than some previous inter‐laboratory comparisons, yet discrepancies could still lead to large differences in calculated seawater pH. Similarly, variability in reported trace element information among laboratories (e.g., Mg/Ca ± 5% RSD) was often greater than within a single laboratory (e.g., Mg/Ca < 2%). Such differences potentially alter proxy‐reconstructed seawater temperature by more than 2 °C. These now well‐characterised solutions are useful reference materials to help the palaeoceanographic community build a comprehensive view of past ocean changes.     

对磺基苯偶氮变色酸分光光度法测定岩石样品中的氟

采用对磺基苯偶氮变色酸分光光度法对岩石样品中氟的含量进行测定。确定的最佳测定条件为:测定波长570 nm,放置2 h后测定,盐酸介质浓度0.84 mol/L,显色剂用量5.0 mL。氟离子浓度在0~1.4 mg/L时符合比尔定律,方法检出限为0.06μg/g。以岩石标准物质代替氟标准溶液制作标准曲线,可有效降低杂质元素的干扰。对国家一级标准物质和日本玄武岩标准物质6次测定的相对标准偏差(RSD)为2.37%~6.32%。     

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.