Determination of rare-earth elements, yttrium and scandium in rocks by anion exchange—X-ray fluorescence technique

Abstract

An ion exchange—X-ray fluorescence method for the determination of rare-earth elements (REE), Y and Sc in rocks and minerals is described. Samples are decomposed using a sodium peroxide sinter which dissolves even the most resistant minerals. A two-stage ion-exchange procedure, using hydrochloric and nitric acids, is used to separate other elements from the REE, Y and Sc which are adsorbed onto ion-exchange papers for XRF analysis. Data acquired on the international standard rocks using this technique compare favourably with the accepted values. These results, combined with precision checks on in-house standards, indicate that the precision and accuracy of this technique can be better than or equal to that of other well-established REE analytical techniques.