There is no one geochemical method which can provide concentrations of all elements in a sample. The optimal method of analysing an element needs to consider the minerals hosting the element. Eg: commonly resistate minerals such as Zr in zircon. Other considerations are what elements may be lost from solution during digestion or added from a flux in a fusion; as well as the strengths and limitations of instruments used for measurement. From decades of experience, ALS has developed packages with combinations of the best-suited methods that can be used to provide an extensive suite of elements for lithological investigations of geochemical samples.
ALS combines several methods into one cost effective package to provide values for an extensive suite of elements. These packages combine whole rock analysis, trace elements by fusion, aqua regia digestion for the volatile trace elements, carbon, and sulphur by combustion analysis, and base metals via four-acid digestion. Various detection limit options are available for the base metals and volatile trace elements.
ALS offers multiple packages of methods for unmineralised samples. These methods have been combined based on our knowledge of which digestion and analytical methods are optimal for each element. Other methods can be added to the packages such as precious metal methods. If there is another combination of methods you would prefer for your project ALS can customise a package to meet your needs.
Analytes | CCP-PKG01 | CCP-PKG03 | CCP-PKG04 | CCP-PKG05 | CCCP-PKG06 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Major elements | ME-ICP06 | ME-XRF26 | ME-XRF13n | ME-ICP06 | ME-ICP06 |
C and S | ME-IR08 | ME-IR08 | ME-IR08 | ME-IR08 | ME-IR08 |
Trace elements | ME-MS81™ | ME-MS81™ | ME-MS81™ | ME-MS81™ | ME-MS81™ |
Volatile trace elements | ME-MS42™ | ME-MS42™ | ME-MS42™ | ME-MS42™ | ME-MS42™ |
Base Metals | ME-4ACD81 | ME-4ACD81 | ME-4ACD81 | ME-MS61™ | ME-MS61L™ |
Method | Description |
---|---|
ME_ICP06 | Fusion decomposition followed by ICP-AES measurement |
ME_XRF26 | Fusion decomposition followed by XRF measurement |
ME_XRF13n | Fusion decomposition of bauxite followed by XRF measurment normalised to 100% based on dry weight |
ME-IR08 | Total C by C-IR07 and total S by S-IR08 |
ME-MS81™ | Lithium borate fusion followed by acid dissolution and ICP-AES measurment |
ME-MS42™ | Aqua regia digestion followed by ICP-MS measurment |
ME-4ACD81 | Four acid digestion followed by ICP-AES measurment |
ME-MS61™ | Four acid digestion followed by ICP-MS measurment |
ME-MS61L™ | Four acid digestion followed by ICP-MS measurment to super trace detection levels |
Yes. You can add additional methods to provide results for elements not reported as part of complete characterisation packages, such as precious metals and halogens. There is also the option to customise your own package by combining the methods to suit your project.
Mineralisation, particularly high sulphide samples, require specialised digestions that include oxidising agents. These oxidising agents break down sulphide minerals to ensure all elements hosted in the sulphides form part of the analysis. Sulphides can also degrade platinum crucibles used for whole rock XRF methods.
If you need only the major and/or trace elements for your samples, methods from the whole rock section may be sufficient.
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