Combined use of atomic spectrometric methods in the analysis of rocks

Standard reference materials of limestone, granite and argillite were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XFS), flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS and G-AAS), and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The major elements Al, Ca, Fe, Si and Ti were determined by XFS and ICP-AES. The relative standard deviations (RSD) of the concentrations of the corresponding oxides obtained by XFS and ICP-AES were (1.36±0.51)% (n=18) and (1.30±0.70)% (n=17), respectively, on the average. The relative deviations (RD) from the certified values were (1.29±3.01)% (n=18) and (–0.69±5.48)% (n=14), respectively, on the average. The numbers in parentheses are the numbers of the single RSD- and RD-values used for the calculation of the averages and the relative standard deviations. Some minor and trace elements of the standard reference materials were determined by G-AAS and ICP-AES. The precision (RSD) was markedly better in the case of ICP-AES. On the other hand, the accuracy (RD) of both methods was about the same (7%). Apparently, the precision and the accuracy are primarily determined by the measuring technique and the sample pretreatment procedure, respectively. The analytical power of the combined use of atomic spectrometric methods is also discussed.