A Flux‐Free Fusion Technique for Rapid Determination of Major and Trace Elements in Silicate Rocks by LA‐ICP‐MS. Issue 1 (8th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Zhiwei; Huang, Fang; Yu, Huimin; Xiao, Yilin; Wang, Fangyue; Li, Qiuli; Xia, Ying; Zhang, Xingchao
• Is Part Of: Geostandards and geoanalytical research. Volume 40:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 5
• Page End: 21
• Publication Date: 2015-04-08
• Subjects: LA‐ICP‐MS -- bulk analysis -- flux‐free fusion -- silicate rocks -- molybdenum–graphite capsule; LA‐ICP‐MS -- analyse roche totale -- fusion sans flux -- roches silicatées -- capsule molybdène‐graphite; Analytical geochemistry -- Periodicals; Géochimie analytique -- Périodiques; 551.9
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-908X.2015.00352.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1639-4488

Abstract

Abstract : A simple flux‐free fusion technique was developed to analyse major and trace element compositions of silicate rocks. The sample powders were melted in a molybdenum capsule sealed in a graphite tube to make a homogenous glass in a temperature‐controlled one‐atmosphere furnace. The glass was then measured for both major and trace element concentrations by LA‐ICP‐MS using a calibration strategy of total metal‐oxide normalisation. The optimum conditions (i.e., temperature and duration) to make homogeneous glasses were obtained by performing melting experiments using a series of USGS reference materials including BCR‐2, BIR‐1, BHVO‐2, AGV‐1, AGV‐2, RGM‐1, W‐2 and GSP‐2 with SiO2 contents from 47 to 73% m / m . Analytical results of the USGS reference materials using our method were generally consistent with the recommended values within a discrepancy of 5–10% for most elements. The routine precision of our method was generally better than 5–10% RSD. Compared with previous methods of LA‐ICP‐MS whole‐rock analyses, our flux‐free fusion method is convenient and efficient in making silicate powder into homogeneous glass. Furthermore, it limits contamination and loss of volatile elements during heating. Therefore, our new method has great potential to provide reliable and rapid determinations of major and trace element compositions for silicate rocks.