Inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometric determination of boron and other oxo-anion forming elements in geological materials

Abstract

A simple, rapid method is described for the determination of boron in different types of geological samples. Measurement is made by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry on an aqueous leach of a sodium carbonate-nitrate melt, which effectively separates the analyte from potentially interfering major elements such as iron, calcium and magnesium. A determination limit of 1 µg g^–1 of B is achieved with a precision of about 3%(relative standard deviation) at levels greater than 5 µg g^–1 of B. Application of this method to include the determination of vanadium down to 4 µg g^–1, molybdenum down to 2 µg g^–1 and tungsten down to 5 µg g^–1 is demonstrated by the use of 18 international reference standards. Extension of this method to include the determination of chromium and phosphorus is cautioned, as success is dependent on the sample type.