Abstract
The lack of analytical techniques for halogens in geological materials is mainly due to the loss of analytes during sample preparation. This study describes a rapid bulk rock digestion method (NH4F digestion) for determination of the abundances of Cl, Br and I in geological materials by SF‐ICP‐MS. During high temperature (200–240 °C) digestion, NH3 released from the decomposition of molten NH4F can effectively prevent the loss of halogens released from geological samples. Chlorine, Br and I were not lost during NH4F digestion at 220 °C for 0.25–6 h. The limits of quantitation for NH4F digestion were 2.8, 0.018 and 0.003 μg g‐1 Cl, Br and I, respectively. Most results for halogens in geological reference materials by NH4F digestion were in agreement with their certified values, confirming that the high‐performance rapid bulk rock NH4F digestion has sufficient digestion capability to extract Cl, Br and I from rocks, sediments and soils. In comparison, results obtained following acid digestion showed that HNO3 + HF digestion could effectively extract Br and I from soil and sediment samples, and that HNO3 acid digestion is only suitable to use for the determination of Br and I in soil samples.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
