GGR Handbook of Rock and Mineral Analysis Chapter 2 (Part 1) Analysis of Geological Materials – 1: Sample Preparation Methods

This chapter (Analysis of Geological Materials – 1: Sample Preparation Methods) is a contribution to the Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research Handbook of Rock and Mineral Analysis – an online textbook that is a fully revised and updated edition of A Handbook of Silicate Rock Analysis (P. J. Potts, 1987, Blackie, Glasgow).

In Chapter 2, Part 1 (from Section 1 of the handbook dealing with fundamentals of measurement and instrument design) rock sample preparation techniques will be considered in detail (Parts 2 and 3 deal with pre-concentration and separation procedures, and the determination of specific element groups, respectively). Despite some techniques undertaking measurements on solid samples, the need for dissolution remains the preferred method for many modern instrumental measurement principles such as ICP-MS, ICP-AES and TIMS. A solution provides homogeneity and can further be used for separation and pre-concentration, both of which are important for the measurement of low mass fractions in isotope geochemistry. Part 1 first takes an historical view of developments in this field, followed by state-of-the-art assessments of dissolution procedures based on acid attack, decomposition by molten salt fusion, the decomposition of resistant minerals, flux-free fusion, and the use of pressed powder pellets.