Quantitative chemical analyses of rocks with X-ray fluorescence analyzer: Major and trace elements in ultrabasic rocks

• Main Authors: Kimiko Seno, Yoichi Motoyoshi
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: National Institute of Polar Research 2004
• Subjects: geo; National Institute of Polar Research
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.15094/00009284; https://doaj.org/article/65af0667b89542548990e8c0cc61a706

Analytical procedures for major and trace elements (SiO_2, TiO_2, Al_2O_3, Fe_2O_3, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na_2O, K_2O, P_2O_5, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Nb, Ni, Rb, Sr, V, Y, Zn, Zr) in ultrabasic rocks by means of an X-ray fluorescnece analyzer RIGAKU RIX3000 at the National Institute of Polar Research are summarized. Because ultrabasic rocks are generally characterized by relatively low SiO_2, high MgO and FeO, and extremely high concentration of Cr, Ni and Co, we newly draw calibration curves by synthesizing standard samples. These standards were prepared by mixing preexisting geochemical standards, chemical reagents and standard solutions for atomic absorption analysis in order to cover the possible chemical compositions of natural ultrabasic rocks. For the elemental analyses, glass beads were prepared from powder samples that were diluted two times by Spectroflux No. 100B (80% LiBO_2+20% Li_2B_4O_7). The matrix correction method and the peak-over-back method were adopted for the measurements of major elements and trace elements, respectively.