A new technique for the synthesis of geochemical reference samples for laser ablation-ICP-MS analysis of zircons

A new method for the preparation of trace element geochemical reference samples of zircons for LA-ICP-MS techniques has been developed. This method involves finely pulverising a zircon sample and sintering it with a low melting temperature phase, such as albite, at high temperatures and pressures to produce a sintered zircon compact (SZC). Such a geochemical reference sample can be homogeneous at the scale of the beam provided crushing is fine enough such that the volume sampled by the beam is representative of the whole reference sample. Based upon 32 determinations of the SZC MREE, HREE, Th, U and Y are reproducible to within 10% (relative) while LREE are reproducible within 24% (relative). LREE reproducibility is less good due to their lower concentration.