Application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to the analysis of iron ores

Abstract

The application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to the analysis of iron-rich samples is described. The influence of polyatomic ion interferences is considered in relation to both the medium used for sample dissolution and the sample matrix itself. Data are presented for two iron ore standard reference materials, BCS 302/1 and BCS 175/2, and one iron-rich geochemical exploration standard reference material, USGS GXR-1. The results obtained with a conventional hydrochloric acid-hydrofluoric acid-hydrogen peroxide dissolution procedure are compared with those for a modified procedure using nitric acid-hydrofluoric acid-hydrogen peroxide.