Determination of trace amounts of antimony in geological materials by atomic absorption spectrometry

For the determination of traces of antimony in rocks and soils, dried samples are heated with ammonium iodide to volatilize antimony triiodide, which is then taken up with 10% hydrochloric acid and extracted into TOPO-MIBK. Analysis is completed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The range is 1.0–40 p.p.m. Sb, the relative standard deviation being about 10–4%. Up to 20% iron and 2000 p.p.m. Cu, Pb, Zn. Sn, As or Hg do not interfere.