Geochemical Analysis

Multi-Element Analysis of Geochem Samples

Samples are digested in mixtures of mineral acids, and the resulting solutions are analyzed for metal content by Inductively-Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Sensitivity of the instrument can be enhanced by the application of sample pre-treatment techniques where lower detection limits are required, for certain elements.

Notes:

These techniques are designed for geochemical exploration, and elements present at concentrations exceeding 0.1% may not be fully recovered. These will be re-analysed by Zarazma’s ore-grade analysis technique.
Recoveries may be less than 100% where refractory mineral species such as chromite and zircon are present.

Code

Description

PM-01

~0.15g of sample is digested in a mixture of Nitric, Hydrochloric,Perchloric and Hydrofluoric acids. Concentration of analytes is determined by ICP-OES.

Analyte and Detection Limit(ppm)
Al	100	Ca	100	Cu	0.5	Mn	5	Pb	1	Sr	2	V	2
As	0.5	Cd	0.1	Fe	100	Mo	0.5	Rb	1	Te	0.1	W	0.5
Ag	0.1	Ce	1	K	100	Na	100	S	50	Th	0.5	Y	0.5
Ba	2	Co	1	La	1	Nb	1	Sb	0.5	Ti	10	Yb	0.2
Be	0.2	Cr	1	Li	1	Ni	1	Sc	0.5	Tl	0.2	Zn	1
Bi	0.2	Cs	0.5	Mg	100	P	10	Sn	0.5	U	0.5	Zr	5

PM-02

~0.25g of sample is digested in aqua-regia (a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids). Concentration of analytes is determined by ICP-OES.

Analyte and Detection Limit(ppm)
Al	100	Ca	100	Cu	0.5	Mn	5	Pb	1	Sr	2	V	2
As	0.5	Cd	0.1	Fe	100	Mo	0.5	Rb	1	Te	0.1	W	0.5
Ag	0.1	Ce	1	K	100	Na	100	S	50	Th	0.5	Y	0.5
Ba	2	Co	1	La	1	Nb	1	Sb	0.5	Ti	10	Yb	0.2
Be	0.2	Cr	1	Li	1	Ni	1	Sc	0.5	Tl	0.2	Zn	1
Bi	0.2	Cs	0.5	Mg	100	P	10	Sn	0.5	U	0.5	Zr	5