CHAPTER 9 - Barium

Abstract

Publisher Summary Gravimetric methods are used for the determination of barium in silicate rocks. The methods are applicable to the rocks containing 100 ppm or more of barium, although the precision is poor at the lower level. This chapter discusses the methods of determination of barium in silicate rocks by gravimetric analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The ease and convenience of atomic absorption spectroscopic techniques have resulted in a number of methods in which barium is determined in the presence of other elements. However, the interference with the atomic absorption spectroscopic determination of barium from alkali metals, alkaline earths, aluminum, and iron is known. A prior separation from interfering elements is essential for the determination of barium. The chapter discusses the procedure for the separation of interfering elements. An alternative procedure is to use flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy. Carbon furnace atomic emission spectrometry is used for the determination of barium in carbonate rocks. The interference from calcium is said to be low and is removed by background correction.