Determination of Trace Elements in Calcite Using Solution and Laser Ablation ICP‐MS: Calibration to NIST SRM Glass and USGS MACS Carbonate, and Application to Real Landfill Calcite

Abstract

We report new data on the trace element concentrations of Mg, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Pb and U in USGS carbonate reference materials (MACS‐1 and MACS‐2) and compare solution ICP‐MS and LA‐ICP‐MS trace element determinations on landfill calcites using calibration to different reference materials (MACS‐1 and MACS‐2 carbonate and NIST SRM 612 glass). Very good agreement (differences below 10% relative) was found between laser ablation and solution ICP‐MS data for MACS‐1 with higher concentrations of trace elements (values between 100 and 150 μg g−1), with the exception of Cu and Zn. Similarly good agreement was found for MACS‐2 with lower trace element concentrations (units to tens of μg g−1), with the exception of Cr, Co and Zn. The MACS‐1 reference material for calibration of LA‐ICP‐MS was found to be extremely useful for in situ determination of trace elements in real‐world carbonate samples (landfill calcites), especially those present in calcite in higher concentrations (Mn, Sr, Ba; < 5% RSD). Less accurate determinations were generally obtained for trace elements present at low concentrations (∼ units of μg g−1). In addition, good agreement was observed between the instrument calibration to MACS and NIST SRM 612 glass for in situ measurements of trace elements in landfill calcites K‐2, K‐3 and K‐4 (differences below 15% relative for most elements). Thus, the application of MACS carbonate reference materials is promising and points to the need for the development of new carbonate reference materials for laser ablation ICP‐MS.