Abstract

Elemental Analysis in Geochemistry: A. Major Elements provides an introduction to basic classical and modern instrumental ""macro"" methods for geochemical research. The intention is to acquaint the beginning analyst or geochemist with the minimum of analytical methods required to satisfactorily perform a complex silicate or similar analysis. By combining classical and modern instrumental methods in one book, strong emphasis is put on the importance of the analyst's ability to grasp the general structure and relation of some of the most frequently used analytical techniques.
The book begins with basic concepts such as the preparation and decomposition of samples; statistical evaluation; and methods of separation and analysis. It outlines the classical qualitative separation scheme, which is very useful in understanding the analytical problems of complex mixtures, especially when hydrogen sulfide group metals are present. It discusses analytical techniques such as the detection and quantitative gravimetric analysis of silicon; volumetric or titrimetric methods; emission photometric analysis; atomic absorption spectroscopy; nondestructive instrumental methods; methods in X-ray spectrochemistry; and developments in neutron activation analysis.