Results accuracy of the simultaneous Na, K, Li, Rb and Cs determination in geochemical objects using the flame atomic emission spectrometry

One of the most important challenges in the simultaneous determination of the five alkaline elements is that their abundance differs thousands of times in natural samples. Therefore, usually the analysis of the same samples is performed using several analytical methods or techniques. An atomic emission spectrometry is the most selective method for the determination of alkaline elements in wide ranges of their contents. The reliable and correct simultaneous determination of major and trace elements contents by one method is economically attractive for classifying rocks, reconstructing the conditions of their formation, etc. The atomic emission spectrometry technique of the simultaneous determination of the five alkaline elements was developed with the use of the modern equipment. The accuracy and trueness of the developed technique results were evaluated in the current study. The technique features were the preparation and the analysis of the high-salt solutions of the geochemical samples, and the use of a low-temperature propane-butane flame and multichannel photoelectric recording of the spectra for the simultaneous determination of alkali metals contents. A specific data processing ensured accounting for the spectral background and minimizing the interferences when calibrating by CRMs with various compositions and genesis. The determined concentrations ranges of alkaline elements in natural and man-made environments had been expanded by improving the detection limits and using several analytical lines of Na, K and Rb with different spectral features. FAES results were compared with the results of XRF, ICP-MS, the standard addition and dilution methods, and its accuracy and trueness were found to be satisfactory for the requirements of geological and geochemical studies.