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.     

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。     

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.     

SLRS‐5 Elemental Concentrations of Thirty‐Three Uncertified Elements Deduced from SLRS‐5/SLRS‐4 Ratios

The fifth version of natural river water certified reference material, SLRS‐5 (National Research Council – Conseil National de Recherches Canada), is commonly used to control the quality of major and trace element measurements. Concentrations of silicon and thirty‐one uncertified trace elements have been reported for the certified reference material SLRS‐4, but they are not yet available for SLRS‐5. Here, SLRS‐5/SLRS‐4 ratios were deduced from SLRS‐5 and SLRS‐4 measurements by inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry and high‐resolution inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry for certified elements and thirty‐five uncertified elements (rare earth elements, B, Bi, Br, Cs, Ga, Ge, Hf, Li, Nb, P, Pd, Rb, Rh, S, Sc, Si, Sn, Th, Ti, Tl, Y). Both reference materials were measured directly one after the other, so that calculated elemental ratios would not be notably influenced either by calibration uncertainties or by eventual long‐term instrumental drift. The computed ratios are in good agreement with those deduced from the certified values. We also report concentrations for thirty‐three uncertified elements in SLRS‐5 by combining the measured SLRS‐5/SLRS‐4 ratios and the published SLRS‐4 values. The resulting new data set provides target SLRS‐5 values, which will be useful in quality control procedures.     

Reference Materials for Geochemical Studies: New Analytical Data by ICP-MS and Critical Discussion of Reference Values

Abundances of twenty four trace elements, including Y and fourteen rare earth elements (REE), are reported for eighty six geological reference materials and four proficiency testing samples. Analytical data were obtained by ICP-MS using solution nebulisation after mixed acid digestion (HF-HClO₄) under pressure. Analysed samples cover a wide range of element concentrations and mineralogical compositions, including samples for which there are few previously published data. Precision for elemental determinations in nearly 90% of the samples analysed is better than 5%. Accuracy, estimated by comparison with data from compilations is better than 6% for well characterized reference materials. Results obtained for samples that are low in trace elements are often significantly lower than compiled reference values. A critical discussion of the compiled data sets, especially for Y and the REEs, indicates that some reference values seem to be erroneous.     

Mass Fractions of Forty‐Six Major and Trace Elements,Including Rare Earth Elements,in Sediment and Soil Reference Materials Used in Environmental Studies

Development of new techniques, enabling simultaneous determination of large numbers of elements in environmental samples, can force analysts to use certified reference materials that do not contain all the elements of interest. In this paper, the mass fractions of forty‐six major and trace elements, including rare earth elements (REE), are presented in one soil (NCS DC 77302 also known as GBW 07410) and five sediment (Metranal‐1, IAEA 405, MESS‐3, NCS DC 73309 also known as GBW 07311 and NCS DC 75301 also known as GBW 07314) certified reference materials determined by high resolution inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry. The selected certified materials represent a spectrum of geological matrices often analysed in environmental studies. Measured elements include certified elements, elements listed with information values as well as new elements absent from certificates, including REEs and some other elements. REE + Y mass fractions in the river sediment reference material Metranal‐1 are reported for the first time. The results obtained are in agreement with available certified or information values.     

Total Sulfur Concentration in Geological Reference Materials by Elemental Infrared Analyser

Total sulfur is an analyte for which there are few determinations published, despite the fact that it is a very important element (e.g., a major element in most ores, an important gas constituent in global warming, an active participant in acid drainage). Most geological reference materials have very poor quality sulfur results, that is with relative standard deviations (RSD) in the range of 30–50%, even for concentrations over 100 μg g⁻¹ S, which compromises their use as calibrators. In order to provide modern results with low RSD, sulfur was determined in twenty-nine geological reference materials with a state-of-the-art elemental S/C analyser using metal chips (certified reference materials with a traceability link) and analytical grade sulfur for high concentration samples. Analytical parameters (sample mass, crucible degassing, calibration strategy, etc.) were optimised by testing. Our results agreed with reference material values provided by issuing bodies. Results for CCRMP SY-2 (129 ± 13 μg g⁻¹ S), which has been proposed as a sulfur reference material, were in agreement with the proposed modern value of 122 ± 3.7 μg g⁻¹ S.     

Routine Control of Accuracy in Silicate Rock Analysis by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

In this study, we used the modified Horwitz expression (H_c= 0.01c^0.8495, which gives the precision as a function of concentration) to evaluate and control the accuracy of results of silicate rock analysis obtained by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. This expression is currently used by the organisers of the GeoPT international proficiency tests, to assign the precision limits of each analyte and subsequently to evaluate the data provided by laboratories whose main application is geochemistry. Results for major and trace elements, determined in glass disk and pressed pellets, respectively, were evaluated. Nine international silicate rock reference materials were analysed and results were compared to the recommended values plus and minus the limits given by the above expression. Those limits are easily attained for most major elements, but not for trace elements. Sample preparation and sub-sampling contributions to precision were evaluated by analysis of an in-house reference sample. In our results, precision does not follow the Horwitz expression relationship with concentration. It is known that the final accuracy in XRF analysis depends strongly on instrumental settings and on the uncertainties associated with the certified or recommended values of the reference materials used to calibrate the spectrometer, but our results indicate that the precision expression can be useful, especially to inspect and correct calibration curves and to check routine instrumental accuracy.     

Report of the International Association of Geoanalysts on the Certification of Penrhyn Slate, OU-6

The International Association of Geoanalysts (IAG) has certified a slate sample, OU-6, for twelve major and minor constituents, as well as thirty-five trace elements through an interlaboratory programme conducted in close compliance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Guide 35 (1989). Laboratories were qualified for participation in the certification programme, based on their performance in the prior analysis of OU-6 as a proficiency test material. Thirty laboratories provided data for the certification, though not for each constituent that was certified. Certification criteria included a means of establishing traceability for the certification data, generally through concurrent analysis of the existing Geological Survey of Japan reference material JSl-1, agreement of results between laboratories and methods, and a minimum of data rejection (4% rejection rate for OU-6 data and 6% for JSl-1 data), preferably for well-understood technical reasons only. Information values are provided for an additional eight constituents where certification criteria were not met. Uncertainties developed in accordance with the "Guide on Uncertainty in Measurement" (Eurachem 2000) and representing the 95% confidence interval of the certified and information values are reported for all fifty five constituents. The material is currently available in 40 g units for distribution by the IAG. Supply is anticipated to last about ten years.     

密闭高温高压溶样ICP-MS测定56种国家地质标准物质中的36种痕量元素——对部分元素参考值修正和定值的探讨

标准物质参考值的准确性在测试仪器校准、分析数据质量监控以及方法评价等方面具有非常重要的作用.为了检验国家地质标准物质参考值的准确性,本文应用高温高压密闭溶样-电感耦合等离子体质谱法分析了国家地质标准物质的18种岩石(GBW 07103 ～ GBW 07125)、19种沉积物(GBW 07301 ～ GBW 07318)和19种土壤(GBW 07401 ～ GBW 07430)中36种痕量与稀土元素.结果表明,除个别标准样品中的几个元素(Ni、Cr、Pb、Co、Cu、Sc、Yb、Lu)外,其余国家标准物质中36种元素测定结果的相对标准偏差均小于10％;绝大部分元素测定值的相对误差小于10％,测定值与参考值能较好地吻合.将误差较大元素的测定值与其他实验室的测定值以及文献报道值进行了比较,指出已有的参考值需要修正;针对部分沉积物和土壤中的元素未提供参考值,如GBW 07306的Ni、GBW 07313的Be、Hf、Ta,GBW 07314的Li、Be,GBW 07409、GBW 07410和GBW0741 1的Hf、Ta,GBW 07426的Gd、Ta,本文给出了相应的参考值.     

Reference samples for use in analytical geochemistry: their availability, preparation, and appropriate use

A large number of certified and other reference samples are available for use in analytical geochemistry. Certified materials are preferred, but of much more limited availability than other reference samples for most geochemical applications. The availability of rock, sediment, soil, water, and plant reference samples is outlined; ore and mineral separate reference samples are not included in the discussion. The preparation of these materials, including the establishment of certified or recommended concentrations, is then reviewed. It is shown that comparable quality can be achieved for both certified and recommended concentrations, though it has not always been achieved in the past. Finally, the most appropriate ways to use reference samples in quality control and instrumental calibration are discussed.     

微波消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定高岭土中10种微量元素

高岭土作为重要的铝硅酸盐,其微量元素的含量决定着高岭土产品的性能指标.高岭土的三种国家标准物质成分GBW03121、GBW03122、GBW03122a中均未含有As、Sb等10种微量元素的标准值,在高岭土的检测中只能采用近似的岩石标准物质作为监控物质,对高岭土组分的准确分析有一定影响.本文通过微波消解技术,对比了硝酸...     

Determination of Trace Elements in the Quartz Reference Material UNS-SpS and in Natural Quartz Samples by ICP-MS

A procedure for the digestion and analysis of quartz samples was developed to measure trace element concentrations in natural quartz. The certified glass sand reference material UNS-SpS was chosen to assess the precision, accuracy and detection limit of the analytical method. Quartz was digested with HF/HNO₃ in a closed glassy carbon vessel and analysed by means of quadrupole ICP-MS with external calibration. Analyte concentrations of the sand UNS-SpS were compared with certified and other values from the literature. The abundances of a number of elements (Pr, Gd, Ho and Er) in the reference material are reported here for the first time. The procedure was then applied to three quartz samples from different geological settings to show that trace element data by ICP-MS can distinguish the origin of the sample.     

Determination of Elements in National Bureau of Standards' Geological Reference Materials SRM 278 Obsidian and SRM 688 Basalt by Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Two new geologic reference materials, issued by the National Bureau of Standards as standard reference materials, have been analyzed by a precise, accurate, and rapid method of analysis for their element content. The described procedure uses a multi-acid, low temperature digestion in a closed teflon vessel, followed by the simultaneous determination of 50 elements by inductively coupled argon plasma-optical emission spectrometry. A preconcentration procedure was applied to a separate digestion for the accurate and precise determination of the rare earth elements. Average concentrations of 39 elements for SRM 278 obsidian and 36 elements for SRM 688 basalt are reported. The results for most elements are in good agreement with the certified values and those reported in the literature. Data for as many as 12 elements are reported for these samples for the first time.     

Platinum-Group Element and Rhenium Concentrations in Low Abundance Reference Materials

One or two gram aliquots of twelve reference materials with low platinum-group element (PGE) abundances (Ir concentrations ranging from 30 to 510 pg g^-1) were analysed by isotope dilution ICP-MS using an on-line chromatographic matrix separation after acid digestion in a high pressure asher (HPA-S) to determine the concentrations of Ru, Pd, Re, Ir and Pt. Osmium concentrations were determined via ID-ICP-MS but as volatile OsO₄, whereas Rh concentrations were calculated by comparing the peak areas of the chromatographic peak with that of a standard solution. Validation of the method was performed and the concepts of traceability and measurement uncertainty were applied to assure comparability. The reference materials BCR-2, BHVO-1, BHVO-2, BIR-1, DNC-1, EN026 10D-3, MAG-1, RGM-1, SCo-1, SDO-1, TDB-1 and W-2 were investigated to test for their usefulness for certification. The use of TDB-1 is highly recommended because it is homogeneous at the two gram level and many values based on several different analytical procedures have been published. It is recommended that our efforts should focus on the certification of this reference material to reduce the uncertainties of its currently certified values (Pd and Pt only) and to assign certified values to the other PGE and Re. It is necessary to have at least one well-characterised RM for validation of methods applied to the analysis of PGE and Re in low abundance samples, although the matrix of TDB-1 might not completely match those of many samples.     

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.     

Direct Current Plasma Emission Spectrometric Determination of Major, Minor and Trace Elements in Microwave Oven Acid Leachates of Powdered Whole Coal Samples

Major concentrations of Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MgO, CaO, Na₂O and K₂O, minor levels of TiO₂, P₂O₅ and thirty petrologically, geochemically and environmentally significant trace elements have been determined in microwave oven acid leachates of whole powdered coal samples by direct current plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry (DCP‐AES). A single sample preparation procedure was suitable for all the determinations with no additional dilution step for major elements solution. Dried samples (0.5 g) were treated in low‐pressure PFA digestion vessels with HF/HCl/HNO₃/HClO₄ acids to quantitatively extract the analytes from the bulk material, while leaving the major part of organic matrix as a residue. The major constituents of geological samples, in particular the easily ionised elements (EIEs) such as alkali and alkaline earths, may complicate the instrumental determinations in DCP‐AES because of differential enhancements of elemental emission intensities and stray light interferences. Taking account of these factors, the coal matrix is considered to have very low major oxide totals as compared to many other common geo‐environmental and related materials (rocks, sediments, soil, ashes etc.). The sample size employed here, while yielding a relatively concentrated solution to cover a wide range of elemental determinations, provided a sample matrix that significantly diminished interferences for DCP measurements. The need for closely matching the unknowns and calibrators was eliminated except for overall acidity and an excess quantity of caesium for EIE buffering. Calibration of the spectrometer was accomplished by simple aqueous single element solutions as high concentration calibrators in addition to a reagent blank as a low concentration calibrator. Two point working curves were established to allow for the maximum concentrations of each element expected in the unknowns. The precision of determinations under routine conditions as well as the reproducibility of the leaching and precision of instrumental measurements have been evaluated. Relative standard deviations (RSD) were of 1–2% for those elements whose concentrations in solid samples were well above the limits of quantification. Method detection limits in the buffered solutions were also evaluated. To evaluate the accuracy of the microwave oven‐DCP method a suite of eight certified coal reference materials of differing rank, were analysed with good agreement with the certified and/or available published data. Results are presented for the uncertified major oxides in the AR series reference materials.     

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.     

Classical and New Procedures of Whole Rock Dissolution for Trace Element Determination by ICP‐MS

Sample digestion is a critical stage in the process of chemical analysis of geological materials by ICP‐MS. We present a new HF/HNO₃ procedure to dissolve silicate rock samples using a high pressure asher system. The formation of insoluble AlF₃ was the major obstacle in achieving full recoveries. This was overcome by setting an appropriate digestion temperature and adding Mg to the samples before digestion. Sodium peroxide sintering was also investigated and the inclusion of a heating step to the alkaline sinter solution improved the recoveries of thirteen elements other than the lanthanides. The results of these procedures were compared with data sets generated by common acid decomposition techniques. Forty‐one trace elements were determined using an ICP‐QMS equipped with a collision cell. Under optimum conditions of gas flow and kinetic energy discrimination, polyatomic interferences were eliminated or attenuated. The measurement bias obtained for eight reference materials (BCR‐2, BHVO‐2, BIR‐1, BRP‐1, OU‐6, GSP‐2, GSR‐1 and RGM‐1) and intermediate precision (RSD) were generally better than ± 5%. The expanded measurement uncertainties estimated for two certified reference materials were mostly between 7 and 15%. New data sets for the reference materials are provided, including constituents with previously unavailable values and also for the USGS candidate reference material G‐3.     

New REE and Trace Element Data on Two Kimberlitic Reference Materials by ICP-MS

Data on thirty-four minor and trace elements including all rare earth elements (REE) are reported for two kimberlitic international reference materials (SARM-39, MINTEK, RSA and MY-4, IGEM, Russia) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), some of them for the first time. Four digestion techniques (open acid, closed vessel acid, microwave and lithium metaborate fusion digestion) were used for the decomposition of samples for analysis by ICP-MS. Three other reference materials (USGS BHVO-1, CRPG BR-1 and ANRT UB-N) were analysed simultaneously using the same analytical methodology to assess the precision and accuracy of the determinations. The data obtained in this study compare well with working values wherever such values are available for comparison. Though open acid digestion was found to be very rapid, effective and convenient for the determination of several trace elements in kimberlitic samples, recoveries for heavy rare earth elements (HREE) were lower than the respective recoveries obtained by the other decomposition techniques used. The precision obtained was better than ± 6% RSD in the majority of cases with comparable accuracy. Chondrite-normalised plots of each RM for all the digestion techniques were smooth. The new data reported on the two kimberlitic reference materials make these samples useful for future geochemical studies of kimberlitic rocks.