Determination of Elements in National Bureau of Standards' Geological Reference Materials SRM 278 Obsidian and SRM 688 Basalt by Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma‐Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Abstract

Two new geologic reference materials, issued by the National Bureau of Standards as standard reference materials, have been analyzed by a precise, accurate, and rapid method of analysis for their element content. The described procedure uses a multi‐acid, low temperature digestion in a closed teflon vessel, followed by the simultaneous determination of 50 elements by inductively coupled argon plasma‐optical emission spectrometry. A preconcentration procedure was applied to a separate digestion for the accurate and precise determination of the rare earth elements. Average concentrations of 39 elements for SRM 278 obsidian and 36 elements for SRM 688 basalt are reported. The results for most elements are in good agreement with the certified values and those reported in the literature. Data for as many as 12 elements are reported for these samples for the first time.