Decomposition and determination of aluminium and silicon in Venezuelan laterites by atomic absorption spectroscopy

Abstract

For the determination of alumina and silica in Venezuelan laterites by atomic absorption spectroscopy, the inter-element (chemical) interferences by the major common elements are eliminated by the fluoboric—boric acid matrix. The HF 3H 3BO 3 matrix also greatly increases the absorption signal for silicon relative to a water system. This method is shown to be precise and accurate when compared with reference rock materials. The Venezuelan laterites were also analyzed by an X-ray fluorescence technique for comparison.