Field determination of copper, manganese and Zinc in sulphide materials by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry

A field-portable analytical method is described for the semi-quantitative determination of Cu, Mn and Zn in oceanic sulphide minerals. Samples were prepared on board ship and analyzed using the AAZ-2 field portable atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The method has general applicability to a variety of field locations at sea or on land. Analyte concentrations ranging from the ppm to percent levels could be determined by selecting the appropriate analytical wavelengths and sample dilution factors. Samples were dissolved using hydrochloric and nitric acids in sealed teflon vessels. Concentrations of Cu, Mn and Zn were determined with an accuracy of approximately 10% when field results were compared with determinations subsequently carried out on the same samples in the laboratory by flame atomic absorption methods.