Geological matrice

J. M. Adams and J. R. Allen, Quantitative X-ray fluorescence analysis of geological matrices using PLS regression. Analyst, 123, 1998, 537-541. 

Detection limits and interfer- dissolved geological matrices 416... 

Dissolution of many rare earth compounds and alloys and many geological matrices containing rare earths is difficult or time consuming. Although dissolution procedures have been described for most matrices, several alternate ways to introduce samples into an ICP without prior dissolution are also of interest here. For example, the sample can be ground into a fine powder (diam. 1 xm or less). 

Geochemical studies often require determination of all the lanthanides (and often yttrium as well) in various geological matrices such as rocks, sediments, coal, etc. In most geological matrices, the light rare earths (e.g.. La and Ce) are much more abundant than the heavier rare earths (e.g., Tb and Tm). Therefore, the analytical technique for this application should have multi-element capabilities, large dynamic range, and limited susceptibility to interferences. This problem was not easily fulfilled before the advent of ICP-AES, which provided the first analytical technique with the potential to cover the whole suite of rare earths in a reasonable time. 

Determination of rare earths in dissolved geological matrices... 

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