Determination of cosmochemically volatile trace elements in chondritic meteorites by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

We have developed a method for the quantification of 14 cosmochemically moderately volatile to highly volatile trace elements (Cu. Zn, Ga, Se, Rb, Ag, Cd, In, Sri, Sb, Te, Cs, Tl, and Bi) in chondritic meteorites by ICPMS. The method utilizes internal standardization via addition of Be, Rh, Re, and U and multiple single point matrix-matched external calibrations with Allende standard reference meteorite to provide drift corrected calibration within an ICPMS procedure. We have demonstrated our method's precision and accuracy by performing replicate dissolutions and analyses of 0.05-0.10 g samples of a homogenized sample of the CM2 Murchison meteorite and compared our results to literature values for this meteorite. Our procedure allows for a rapid and accurate determination of the cosmochemically important VTEs in chondritic meteorites providing the means for an even more comprehensive elemental analysis of a single sample of chondritic material. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.