DETERMINATION OF RARE-EARTH ELEMENTS IN MINERALS AND ORES BY INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA-MASS SPECTROMETRY (ICP-MS)

The work concerns the development of a method for quantitative detection of trace and ultra-trace elements or rare earths in ores by ICP-MS. ICP-MS is a relatively new analytical technique, which uses a plasma torch coupled with a mass spectrometer. Due to elemental discrimination by the mass of the elements, detection limits are among the lowest, capabilities are among the best available for multielemental techniques. The main advantages of ICP-MS over optical ICP when used for elemental determination are increased sensitivity, simplicity of background spectra, and capability of measuring specific isotopes. The analytical results obtained on various samples containing rare-earth elements are given below. They are discussed in terms of background, standardization and detection limits. Optimum instrumental conditions are indicated.