Determination of ultra-trace rare earth elements in ultramafic and sulfide samples by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Abstract

A method has been developed for the determination of rare earth elements (REE) in ultramafic and sulfide samples by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). After Na₂O₂ fusion, REE analytes are separated and preconcentrated by inorganic coprecipitation combined with triethanolamine. By addition of REE standards to unknown samples, the procedural recovery was evaluated, and the mean value is 96.7%. Detection limits for this method are 4.46 ng g⁻¹ for Ce to 0.02 ng g⁻¹ for Ho. This method was validated using ultramafic standard samples, and the results are comparable to the accepted values.