Determination of 24 trace elements in felsic rocks by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after lithium metaborate fusion

An improved lithium metaborate fusion technique for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric analysis of felsic rocks is proposed. The method involves the dissolution of fused sample material with HF followed by treatment with HNO3. The decomposition method developed was used for the determination of trace elements in ancient felsic volcanic rocks and granites of Southern Siberia and further applied to petrologic modeling and the geodynamic setting of the rock origin. Data for geological reference materials STM-1, G-2, GSP-1, AGV-1 and BCR-1 were used for method validation and experimental results obtained agreed well with certified values. Detection limits determined ranged from 0.021 to 0.24 μg/g for Y, Pr, middle and heavy rare earth elements (REE), Ta, U and from 0.44 to 2.07 μg/g for Rb, Sr, Zr, Nb, Ba, light REE, Hf and Th.