Abstract
An emission spectrographic method for the determination of minor elements occurring in natural sulfides has been developed. This method involves the use of complex crystalline standards, synthesized at elevated temperatures, that contain within their lattices the minor elements of interest. Results of the present study are based on the incorporation of Cd, Co, In, Mn, and Ni into a ZnS base and of Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Hg, Sb, Se, and Te in part into each of two portions of a PbS base. The procedure used for the synthesis is that commonly employed for such studies, that is, reaction at elevated temperatures (300 to 1000°C) within evacuated silica tubes. Comparison of analytical curves generated by these standards with curves based on oxide standards shows that erroneously high values may be obtained when oxide standards are used. This error is especially evident for cadmium. Results for minor elements in sulfide minerals by this method agree with results obtained by other methods.
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