Geochemical Trace Element Analysis for Ionic Species by Capillary Electrophoresis

Abstract

Simultaneously with great improvements in analytical techniques during the last two decades data have become available on trace elements in minerals which have caused geochemists to attach less importance to bulk analyses. The statistical distribution of trace elements in minerals from single grain analyses, 'fingerprinting' of minerals by trace elements, the identification of pathfinder elements and minerals and other applications have been published in increasing numbers. The partitioning of elements between minerals and fluids has also been found by many geochemists to be of great importance in tracing and character iz ing geochemical processes.