The Direct Determination of Rare Earth Elements in Basaltic and Related Rocks using ICP-MS: Testing the Efficiency of Microwave Oven Sample Decomposition Procedures

Tests are described showing the results obtained for the determination of REE and the trace elements Rb, Y, Zr, Nb, Cs, Ba, Hf, Ta, Pb, Th and U with ICP-MS methodology for nine basaltic reference materials, and thirteen basalts and amphibolites from the mafic-ultramafic Niquelândia Complex, central Brazil. Sample decomposition for the reference materials was performed by microwave oven digestion (HF and HNO₃, 100 mg of sample), and that for the Niquelândia samples also by Parr bomb treatment (5 days at 200°C, 40 mg of sample). Results for the reference materials were similar to published values, thus showing that the microwave technique can be used with confidence for basaltic rocks. No fluoride precipitates were observed in the microwave-digested solutions. Total recovery of elements, including Zr and Hf, was obtained for the Niquelândia samples, with the exception of an amphibolite. For this latter sample, the Parr method achieved a total digestion, but not so the microwave decomposition; losses, however, were observed only for Zr and Hf, indicating difficulty in dissolving Zr-bearing minerals by microwave acid attack.