A new CCD axially viewed ICP atomic emission spectrometer for simultaneous multi-element geoanalysis. Determination of major and minor elements in silicate rocks

Abstract

A new charge-coupled detector (CCD) atomic emission spectrometer was evaluated for determination of major, minor and several trace elements in geological and related materials using an axially viewed ICP. Simultaneous multi-element conditions were employed for the analysis of solutions prepared using a lithium metaborate fusion. The wide spectral coverage of the detector allows several spectral lines of the same element to be used, thus further extending the range of determination. With an ion line of Sc the long term precision was about 1%. Accuracy was determined by analyzing geological standard reference materials varying widely in major element composition using more than one spectral line of the same element. Multivariate calibrations using more than one spectral line of the same element improved the goodness of fit between determined and recommended values for several geological SRMs. This good agreement indicates that robust axially viewed CCD ICP spectrometers are highly suited for major and minor element geoanalysis. Several trace element determinations (Cr, La, Sr, V, Y) were also successfully performed owing to the enhanced limits of detection and relative freedom from spectral line interference. Lower limits of determination in the solid sample varied from 0.1 for Sr to 3 mg kg –1 for Ni.