Simultaneous Determination of Silver, Boron, Tin, Molybdenum and Lead in Geological Samples by Atomic Emission Spectrometer with Full Spectrum

BACKGROUND The contents of silver, tin, boron, molybdenum, and lead in geological samples are extremely important for studying the metallogenic regularity and for geochemical prospecting. Current analytical methods rarely determine silver, tin, boron, molybdenum, and lead simultaneously. OBJECTIVES To establish a method to simultaneously determine silver, tin, boron, molybdenum and lead in geological samples. METHODS To eliminate the matrix interference, first-class standard materials (rock, soil and water sediments) were used for linear fitting of the synthetic silicate standard materials curve. By setting analytical line conversion values, different analytical line can be used for samples with different contents. RESULTS The detection limits of silver, tin, boron, molybdenum, and lead were 0.0077μg/g, 0.19μg/g, 0.68μg/g, 0.058μg/g, 0.49μg/g, respectively. The precisions of the method were 3.23%-9.39%. The measured value of national first class standard materials including soil, water sediments and rock by this method was in accordance with standard values, with an absolute value of △logC < 0.10. The qualified rates of actual sample were 92%-98%, and the qualified rate of the inspection sample was 100%. CONCLUSIONS This method is easy to apply and can be used to analyze samples rapidly. It can also be used to avoid contamination during sample dilution. Compared with traditional atomic emission spectrometry that uses a single analytical spectrum line, this method can be used to obtain a value which is closer to the standard value of national standard materials. The detection limit of this method is much lower than the standard value of the specification of testing quality management for geological laboratories.