Matrix Composition on Chemical Determinations

Several major mafrix fypes are foxmd in marine particles and sediments. Marine organisms surrmmd themselves with tough polymeric organic cell walls and/or with opal or calcium carbonate tests. These contrasting matrices respond differently to various analytical methods. In sediments, the remains of fhese organisms combine with clay minerals to form a heterogeneous mixture. In this section, the influence of these matrices on analyte quantification are discussed. 

The minerals that make up the increasingly predominant inorganic fraction include  

Because samples of suspended, sinking, and sedimentary marine particles often contain appreciable amounts of clay minerals, carbonate, and opal, any quantification method for organic elements must avoid interference from these mineral types. 

Measurement of radionuclides in marine solids may be accomplished by either destructive or nondestructive techniques. The nondestructive 

For the 226Ra Ba ratio in barite technique, the results depend on the isolation of a pure barite sample and the assumption that the separation techniques do not alter the 226Ra Ba ratio of the barite. Applying different techniques to reference sediments could strengthen this technique. 

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