Microanalysis by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry in Comparison to Spark Ablation of Certified and Found Minerals Galena, Sphalerite, and Pyrite

A double-tandem technique of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) involving laser ablation for the analysis of compact or briquetted minerals on one hand and spark ablation for the analysis of powders on the other is presented. The technical arrangement, the design of the optimized sample chamber, the evaluation of operating conditions, and the test of liquid-solid calibration are described. Both techniques can be used for the determination of elemental compositions of minerals providing a dynamic range from tens of mass-percent down to milligrams per kilogram. The objective of this study was to compare laser ablation (LA)-ICP-AES and spark-ICP-AES with regard to accuracy, precision, and sample turnaround time for multielement analysis of the certified minerals galena GF1, sphalerite SF1, and pyrite PS1. A systematic error of smaller than 3% in both techniques and a random error of smaller than 9 and 5%, respectively, is pointed out. The optimized methods were applied to samples of galena, sphalerite, and pyrite from four deposits each to find fingerprints by different contents of major, minor, and trace elements, which characterize the deposits.