Simultaneous determination of multielement in standard silicate rocks and sediments by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spec-trometric determination of thirteen elements in standard silicate rocks (JG-1, JB-1, JA-1, and JB-2) and sediments (NBS, SRM 1645 and 1646) was studied. The instrumental operating conditions were established as: incident power (1.6 kW); argon flow rate: plasma gas (1.51/min), coolant gas (10.51/min), and carrier gas (1.0 1/min); and observation height (16mm above load coil). The practical detection limits achieved were: 0.004 ppm for Fe, 0.002 ppm for Mn, 0.090 ppm for P, 0.002 ppm for Cu, 0.007 ppm for Ni, 0.004 ppm for Cr, 0.004 ppm for Mo, 0.001 ppm for Ti, 0.003 ppm for V, 0.005 ppm for AI, 0.001 ppm for Co, 0.009 ppm for Mg, and 0.004 ppm for Zn. The precisions (R.S.D.) of the determination of the elements in the standard silicate rocks (except JG-I) and sediments were within 1 % for Fe, Mn, Ti, Al, and Mg and almost 5 % for P, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mo, V, Co, and Zn. However, the precisions for Cu, Ni, and Mo in JG-1 were worse because of their trace content. The accuracy of the measurements was affected by spectral interferences from coexisting major elements and the viscosity of solutions, and hence the determination of Mo in JB-1, JA-1, and JB-2 was difficult even though background corrections were made. © 1984, The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry. All rights reserved.