Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Analysis of geologic reference materials for REE and HFSE by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

  • Published:
Geochemistry International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A variant of the ICP-MS technique was developed for the analysis of geological materials for REE and HFSE (Zr, Nb, Hf, and Ta) and is illustrated by analyzing geological reference materials (GRM) of various composition. The chemical preparation of the samples, including their sintering/fusing with highly purified Li metaborate and the stabilization of the solution, ensures the complete transfer of the elements to be analyzed into solution. The use of an ELEMENT high-sensitivity mass spectrometer with an U-5000AT+ ultrasonic nebulizer made it possible to improve the detection limits of REE and HFSE. A combination of an external calibration with internal standard for the calculation of the concentrations allowed us to take into account the effect of the matrix and variations in the plasma parameters on the analytical signal. The accuracy of the method is illustrated by the comparison of the results obtained on the most reliably certified GRM with the values assumed for them. The relative standard deviation of the analysis amounts to 2–5% on average, depending on the concentrations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. S. Weyer, C. Munker, and K. Mezger, “Nb/Ta, Zr/Hf, and REE in the Depleted Mantle: Implications for the Differentiation History of the Crust-Mantle System,” Earth Planet. Sci. Letter 205, 309 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. S. V. Panteeva, D. P. Gladkochoub, T. V. Donskaya, et al., “Determination of 24 Trace Elements in Felsic Rocks by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry after Lithium Metaborate Fusion,” Spectrochem. Acta 2, 341 (2003).

    Google Scholar 

  3. T. Yokoyama, Ak. Makishima, and Eizo Nakamura, “Evaluation of the Coprecipitation of Incompatible Trace Elements with Fluoride during Silicate Rock Dissolution by Acid Digestion,” Chem. Geol. 157, 175 (1999).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Kin F. Dai, I. Prudencio, A. Gouveia, and E. Magnusson, “Determination of Rare Earth Elements in Geological Reference Materials: A Comparative Study by INAA and ICP-MS,” Geostand. Newslett. 23(1), 47 (1999).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Ph. Robinson, T. Townsend, Z. Yu, and C. Münker, “Determination of Scandium, Yttrium, and Rare Earth Elements in Rocks by High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry,” Geostand. Newslett. 23(1), 31 (1999).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. V. Balaram, “Recent Trends in the Instrumental Analysis of Rare Earth Elements in Geological and Industrial Materials,” Trends in Analytical Chemistry 15, 475 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  7. P. Robinson, N. C. Higgins, and G. A. Jenner, “Determination of Rare Earth Elements, Yttrium, and Scandium in Rocks by Ion-Exchange-X-Ray Fluorescence Technique,” Chem. Geol. 55, 121 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. P. J. Potts, The Analyst 122, 1179–1186 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. S. Weyer, C. Munker, M. Rehkamper, and K. Mezger, “Determination of Ultra-Low Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf Concentrations and the Chondritic Zr/Hf and Nb/Ta Ratios by Isotope Dilution Analyses with Multiple Collector ICP-MS,” Chem. Geol. 187, 295–313 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. L. L. Petrov, Standard Samples of Chemical Composition of Natural Mineral Materials: A Catalogue (Irkutsk, 2006) [in Russian].

  11. K. Govindaraju, “1994 Compilation of Working Values and Sample Description for 383 Geostandards,” Geostand. Newslett. 18 (1995).

  12. S. Terashima, N. Imai, S. Itoh, et al., “Compilation of Analytical Data for Major Elements in Seventeen GSI Geochemical Reference Samples, “Igneous Rock Series,” Bull. Geol. Surv. (Soc.) Japan 45, 305–381 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  13. P. Dulski, “Reference Materials for Geochemical Studies: New Analytical Data by ICP-MS and Critical Discussion of Reference Values,” Geostand. Newslett. 25(1), 87–125 (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. M. Ujiie-Mikoshiba, N. Imai, S. Terashima, et al., “Geochemical Mapping in Northern Honshu, Japan,” Appl. Geochem. 21, 492–514 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. S. M. Eggins “Laser Ablation ICR MS Analysis of Geologocal Materials Prepared as Lithium Borate Glasses,” Geostand. Newslett. 27(2), 147–162 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. M. Willbold and K. P. Jochum, “Multi-Element Isotope Dilution Sector Field ICP-MS: A Precise Technique for the Analysis of Geological Materials and its Application to Geological reference Materials,” Geostand. Geoanal. Res. 29(1), 63–82 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Liang. Qi, Jing. Hu, and D. C. Gregoire, “Determination of Trace Elements in Granites by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry,” Talanta 51, 507–513 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. S. M. Eggins, J. D. Woodhead, L. P. J. Kinsley, et al., “A Simple Method for the Precise Determination of >40 Trace Elements in Geological Samples by ICP-MS Using Enriched Isotope Internal Standardization,” Chem. Geol. 134, 311–326 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Th. Meisel, N. Schoner, V. Paliulionyte, and El. Kahr, “Determination of Rare Earth Elements, Y, Th, Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta in Geological Reference Materials G-2, G-3, Sco-1, and WGB-1 by Sodium Peroxide Sintering and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry,” Geostand. Newslett. 26(1), 53–61 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Z. Yu. Robinson Ph. and P. McGoldrick, “Decomposition of Geological Materials for Trace Element Determination Using ICP-MS,” Geostand. Newslett. 25(2–3), 199–217 (2001).

    Google Scholar 

  21. J. R. Moody and E. S. Beary, “Purified Reagents for Trace Element Analysis,” Talanta 29, 1003–1010 (1982).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. M. A. Vaughan and G. Horlick, “Dyroxide and Doubly Charged Analyte Species in Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry,” Appl. Spectrosc. 4(4), 434–445 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. K. E. Jarvis, “A Critical Evaluation of Two Sample Preparation Techniques for Low-Level Determination of Some Geologically Incompatible Elements by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry,” Chem. Geol. 83, 89–103 (1990).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. H. P. Longerich, G. A. Jenner, B. J. Fryer, and S. E. Jackson, “Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Geological Samples: A Critical Evaluation Based on Case Studies,” Chem. Geol. 83, 105–118 (1990).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. G. A. Jenner, H. P. Longerich, S. E. Jackson, and B. J. Fryer, “ICP-MS—A Powerful Tool for High-Precision Trace-Element Analysis in Earth Sciences: Evidence from Analysis of Selected U.S.G.S. Reference Samples,” Chem. Geol. 83, 133–148 (1990).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. W. Doherty, “An Internal Standartization Procedure for the Determination of Yttrium and Rare Earth Elements in Geological Materials by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry,” Spectrochim. Acta, Part A 44B(3), 263–280 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  27. C. O. Ingamells, “Lithium Metaborate Flux in Silicate Analysis,” Anal. Chim. Acta 52, 323–334 (1970).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. V. N. Muzgin, N. N. Emel’yanova, and A. A. Pupyshev, “Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry: A New Method in the Analytical Chemistry,” Analitika Kontrol, 3–4, 3–25 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  29. R. L. Korotev, “A Self-Consistent Compilation of Elemental Concentration Data for 93 Geochemical Reference Samples,” Geostand. Newslett. 20(2), 217–245 (1996).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, pr. Akademika Koptyuga 3, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia

    I. V. Nikolaeva, S. V. Palesskii, O. A. Koz’menko & G. N. Anoshin

Authors
  1. I. V. Nikolaeva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. V. Palesskii
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. O. A. Koz’menko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. N. Anoshin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Original Russian Text © I.V. Nikolaeva, S.V. Palesskii, O.A. Koz’menko, G.N. Anoshin, 2008, published in Geokhimiya, 2008, No. 10, pp. 1085–1091.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nikolaeva, I.V., Palesskii, S.V., Koz’menko, O.A. et al. Analysis of geologic reference materials for REE and HFSE by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Geochem. Int. 46, 1016–1022 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702908100066

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702908100066

Keywords

Search

Navigation