DETERMINATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN 11 CHINESE GEOLOGICAL REFERENCE MATERIALS BY ICP‐MS

More than 40 trace elements in 11 Chinese geological reference materials (stream sediments) GSD-1 to GSD-7 and GSD-9 to GSD-12 were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Open acid digestions were used to prepare samples for the determination of most elements. However, for the measurement of Y, Zr and Hf, it was found necessary to use an alkali fusion in order to make fully quantitative measurements. The results obtained in this work are generally in good agreement with the recommended values from the sub-ppm level to > several hundred ppm and illustrate the versatility of the technique, particularly for some less well characterised elements.