Gold in BHVO-1, BIR-1, DNC-1 and BCR-1 by Fire-Assay Preconcentration Neutron Activation Analysis: Sample Size vs. Accuracy

Four mafic USGS rock standards (BHVO-1, BIR-1, DNC-1, BCR-1) were analyzed at three sample sizes (1, 5, and 10 g) for gold by neutron activation analysis subsequent to fire-assay concentration. The results indicate that large samples, in the order of 10 g, are required to produce consistent results, although analyses of variance indicate that sample sizes of 5 g may be used effectively. The analysis of 1 g samples resulted in a large range of values and high standard deviations. BCR-1 was found to be the most homogeneous of the four standards for gold, followed in decreasing order by BIR-1, DNC-1, and BHVO-1. Data for Ir in BIR-1 and DNC-1 are also presented.