Most Common Methods of Analysis

The most used methods for the analysis of geochemical prospection are essentially:

• Spectrometry of emission with plasma source (spectrometry plasma), where the sample in dust is burned in a direct arch or current in a very high plasma. Generally 12 prioritized elements are analyzed which are: Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, W, Sb, Ba, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cr, Sn, along with ten useful elements be it because they are accessory elements, like by geological cartography which include: V, P, As, Mo, B, Be, Cd, Ni, Y.
• Spectrometry of optic emission at direct reading, can simultaneously measure seven greater elements and twenty six elements in outlines: Si02, A1203, Fe203, Mg0, Ca0, Na20, K20 / Mn, P, Ti, Zr, B, Ba, Sr, La, Y, Nb, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ag, Cd, As, Sb, Bi, Li, Sn, W, Mo, Cr, Co, V, Ni.
• Atomic absorption: is the most used technique for the common mono element analysis, it has low limits of detection and the equipment is relatively cheap. The results of the analysis are generally expressed in p.b.m. (parts by million, this is grams per ton) or sometimes in p.b.b. (parts by billion, this is milligrams per ton). For the elements present in great amounts a percentage % will be given.

Recommendation
The different techniques of analysis have different sensibilities according to the analyzed minerals; and therefore it is absolutely impossible to compare the results that come about from different techniques. A geochemical sampling campaign will therefore need to intercalate double samples or samples with known of tenors in the measure of 1 for every 100. In the sample it is therefore advisable to provide number without samples.